Football: Igor Stimac after India’s Intercontinental Cup win – ‘We are halfway from our goal’

India will play a number of tournaments in the build-up to the AFC Asian Cup that will take place in January 2024.

Jun 19, 2023 - 19:30
Football: Igor Stimac after India’s Intercontinental Cup win – ‘We are halfway from our goal’

India beat Lebanon 2-0 on Sunday to win the 2023 Intercontinental Cup but for coach Igor Stimac, the work is just half done.

Speaking in the post-match press conference after the final, Stimac said, “We are halfway from our goal. I have already forgotten this match. We’re looking forward to three days time when we play Pakistan (at the upcoming SAFF Championship). That’s how I see it. Nothing is done yet.

India finished at the top of the group stage of the four-nation event in Bhubaneswar, having beaten Mongolia, Vanuatu and then drawing against Lebanon, to qualify for the final.

“Everything goes like I told you it would go. First couple of games it is suffering and it will be adjusting to the conditions and our opponents,” said Stimac.

“To keep the legs running. I told you that it will be different after the second game and it was.

“I know we can do better. As a coach, I cannot show satisfaction. I am happy now but we are not going to stop working, we will look to do better and push for more. Lebanon is already behind us, they are not a better-ranked side, sorry to say that, but we jumped over them a few days ago. There...

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