In quest to end winless streak, India up against the elements

New Delhi, November 12

Bracing up for an unfamiliar astroturf, sub-zero temperatures and a sprightly opponent in Afghanistan, India’s football coach Igor Stimac today conceded that his team’s winless streak in the World Cup qualifiers won’t be easy to break in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

The away fixture against Afghanistan on November 14 is crucial for India to remain in the hunt to qualify for the World Cup. The Afghans are placed third in the group with one win and two losses, a notch above India who have two draws and a defeat so far.

“The climatic condition in Dushanbe is very different from what we have experienced in India at this time. It’s very cold and mercury level drops closer to sub-zero,” Stimac said.

The war-ravaged Afghanistan chose Dushanbe as their home venue for the second round qualifiers of the World Cup. The Group E match will be played on an artificial turf in the midst of freezing temperatures. “Moreover, the match is scheduled on an artificial turf which our players are not used to. Afghanistan have chosen the venue to make others’ life difficult and we have an uphill task in front of us,” he added.

India occupy the fourth spot in Group E with just two points after consecutive draws against Qatar and Bangladesh. They had lost to Oman in their first match.

The absence of a direct flight to Dushanbe also added to the woes as the team had to leave after the November 10 Indian Super League match involving Bengaluru FC where Sunil Chhetri and some key players ply their trade. The team will reach Dushanbe tomorrow, just a day before the match.

“The journey and flight itinerary is a tedious one. We reached Dubai last night and had a morning training session here this morning. We are leaving for Dushanbe this evening and reaching there tomorrow (November 13),” said Stimac. “So, it will be a tricky fixture. As professionals, we have to adapt to newer challenges. I’m optimistic that the boys will churn out a positive result against Afghanistan.” 

Stimac said a victory against Afghanistan will help build momentum for the clash against Oman in Muscat on November 19. — PTI

Creating chances not enough, must score: Chhetri 

Dubai: India captain Sunil Chhetri has asked his teammates to pull up their socks and produce an improved performance in the team’s crunch World Cup qualifying match against Afghanistan. Chhetri said “converting chances” was an area where the team needs to work more. India wasted a slew of chances against Bangladesh before the equaliser in the 88th minute. “We are creating chances. But that is not enough. We have to try our best to convert them and try to be a tougher unit while defending. We have missed against Bangladesh and we need to pull up our socks against Afghanistan,” Chhetri said after a short training stint at the Dubai Sports City. Fullback Subhasish Bose said, “Maintaining clean sheets will be of paramount importance in order to stay alive in the race... We will need to be sharper in the absence of Sandesh Jhingan (injured).” PTI