India's Coach Igor Stimac Lays Down The Ground Rules For Representing The Indian Men's Football Team

It seems like India coach Igor Stimac is on his mission to rule with an iron fist. Following the AIFF’s announcement of the official 18-man squad for the Asian Games, there remained quite a few question marks regarding the team selection, which was made of unfamiliar new faces for the most part with the exception of veteran skipper Sunil Chhetri.

Another point of conversation for all was Stimac’s ongoing controversy of taking assistance from an astrologer to pick the Indian team for the Asia Cup qualifiers.

READ| Igor Stimac Responds to Astrologer Controversy: ‘Target or Honest Fighter for Betterment of Indian Football?’

The 56-year-old has mentioned that he remains committed to the cause of Indian football and dropped a hint that he will make a few big revelations in the days to come.

“Target or honest fighter for the betterment of Indian football? The time is coming to put all cards on the table and see how much and who really cares about football in this country,” Stimac wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“Give it a thought before making up your judgment and thanks once again for your support.”

But recently, the coach took to X again, formerly known as Twitter to release a bulletin of pointers aimed at establishing his idea of what Indian football should encompass.

Separate mention of what one commits to when they wear the Indian jersey, what will be needed to make the team great, playing style, the locker room rules and many more pointers were clarified for all to see, to once and for all clear the smoke and mirrors.

“We play for India. That is out identity. We pledge to respect the jersey we wear… We pledge to fight and protect the honour of our brotherhood. W pledge to live our lives in a manner that inspires,” is what the Indian coach had mentioned as the national team’s motto in his tweet.

A list of all the coaching staff involved with the national team over the period of the Asian Games campaign was also mentioned.

An interesting point of debate rose among the comments when one Indian fan pointed out at Stimac’s harsh measure to leave out Mumbai City FC winger Apuia from the squad.

When asked about why “never” selecting him was the course of action, Stimac replied stating, “It’s up to him only, we are a family and everyone needs to commit to it.”

Apuia, 22, is an exciting young talent who had seemingly lost his place in the national squad following a bit of a disciplinary scuffle with Stimac.

His recent omissions from the squad is believed to have been a result of Apuia’s stubbornness. It is said that the National Team’s psychologist had forwarded a form to be filled by players which Apuia did not submit before deadline and this left Stimac furious who decided to take strong actions. And now, his omission from India’s selection for the Asian Games is now being blamed on the very same off-field incident.