SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Team India had a slow start to their SAFF championship with two draws in the opening fixtures, however, Igor Stimac's side produced a stunning fightback in the finals stages to emerge champions. Sunil Chhetri was instrumental in getting the goals but Igor Stimac considered Goa’s Liston Coalco as future of India.
“I consider him (Liston Colaco) one of our players who may become very important for the future. He’s got speed and the technique, and he can score goals. Of course, he needs to develop his defensive qualities, fall back, and become more responsible,” coach Igor Stimac stated on Tuesday.
“For now, he's in the group of players which can give us a certain quality when we play against better sides when we can use the space behind their back with his technique, speed and understanding of the game,” the Croatian added.
“I'm happy that we have a diversity of players. I would say that we have become a very solid side defensively, and we are no longer the India which will concede many goals.”
Coach Stimac heaped praises to the Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri's contribution in the championship.
"It’s not just the goals he scores, but it’s his leadership on the pitch that is special," stated Igor Stimac.
"He is a role model, and he is the most passionate one in the dressing room. At this age, that’s quite unbelievable."
Over the years, India has been over dependent on Sunil for the goals. The country of 1.3 billion is yet to find a perfect replacement for the veterans skipper who has recently surpassed Brazilian legend Pele and Argentine Lionel Messi. His fitness is unbelievable and we wait for someone to step forward together with a better fitness condition, and with a better scoring ability to replace him," expressed Stimac.
"Sunil needs someone who can take the pressure off him. He is still at his peak and was the only player to have played almost every minute in the SAFF Championship. Other than Manvir, we do have others too. Rahim Ali showed in the recent games that we can count on him in the future," he added.
Sunil has been performing beyond expectations even at the age of 37, however, for coach Stimac he is the best player in the team. “I look at him as the best player. I never look at the age of players. If I was looking at the age of players, I would never put an 18-year old to play for the National Team. Age is not important for me, it’s just what they do on the pitch is important for me.
