India’s national football team kicked off their Intercontinental Cup 2023 campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Mongolia in Bhubaneswar.
Head coach Igor Stimac expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, stating that they achieved their objectives of securing a clean sheet and a win.
Stimac praised his players for their ball movement, creative play, and goal-scoring opportunities, while also acknowledging Mongolia’s strong defensive efforts.
India extended their winning streak on home soil to six games, a run that began during the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers in Kolkata last year. The team has impressively kept five clean sheets, scored 13 goals, and conceded only one. Stimac expressed his pleasure with these statistics but also emphasized the desire for more goals.
Lallianzuala Chhangte, who celebrated his 26th birthday, was named the Hero of the Match for his performance against Mongolia. Chhangte scored in the 14th minute, adding to Sahal Abdul Samad’s early goal to secure India’s victory. Chhangte, while happy with his goal, acknowledged the need for improvement and expressed motivation for the next game.
Stimac couldn’t contain his excitement about Chhangte’s impressive form for the national team, highlighting his hard work and dedication as an inspiration for younger players. Stimac praised Chhangte’s commitment, highlighting his efforts beyond match days. Chhangte’s new partner on the right wing, Nikhil Poojary, also received praise for their effective collaboration.
Sahal Abdul Samad, who earned a start in the match, impressed Stimac with his performance. The coach commended Samad’s ability to find gaps, create chances, and score goals. Looking ahead to the upcoming games, Stimac emphasized the importance of building on their current performance and expressed pride in the team’s dedication and resilience despite the challenging heat and humidity.
The Intercontinental Cup continues this month, and Stimac hopes that the team’s hard work will pay off. He expressed his pride in the players and their enjoyment of the game, while also emphasizing the importance of staying injury-free. (Edited)