Trying out new players does not mean experimenting: Stimac

India football coach insists he will continue to introduce fresh faces for friendly against Belarus on Saturday despite 1-2 defeat to Bahrain recently

INDIA football team's head coach Igor Stimac is keen to continue to introduce new faces for the friendly against Belarus in Bahrain on Saturday.

India recently lost 1-2 away to Bahrain where the visiting coach had tried out a few new players based on their good form at the recent Indian Super League. Stimac said he will to do it again against Belarus, but insists this should not be considered an experiment. “There will be some big changes for the Belarus game. I want to introduce a new team with fresh faces and energy which will give us more stability in the passing front," Stimac said at a virtual interaction.

"But this cannot be called an experiment. This is the only place where I can try out new and deserving players and if I'm giving them a chance that does mean it's an experiment. Friendly matches are the best opportunity to give players a chance to perform, and I believe if you don’t take risks, you will never succeed," he shot back when mid-day asked him if results don't matter considering he is introducing so many new faces.

The international friendlies are being used as preparation for India's final round of the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifying matches that will be held in Kolkata from June 8. India have been clubbed in Group D alongside Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Cambodia. A total of 24 teams have been divided into six groups. The winner of each group and the five best second-placed teams will compete at the AFC Asian Cup in China next year.

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