“Honestly this is the biggest game altogether in my playing and coaching career and the simple reason is that we have chance to make 1.5 billion Indians happy tomorrow
Igor Stimac
A win in Thursday’s crucial match against Kuwait will virtually take India to their maiden appearance in the third round of the World Cup qualifiers and head coach Igor Stimac feels that feat can change the future of the country’s football.
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Himself a member of the 1998 World Cup bronze-medal winning Croatian side, Stimac on Wednesday said India joining the Asian elite in the third round from where direct slots for the 2026 World Cup will be decided will the “biggest moment” of his entire career as footballer and coach.
“This can change the future of Indian football. Although I’m a foreigner in this country but I feel more like an Indian,” Stimac said at the pre-match press conference here.
“Honestly this is the biggest game altogether in my playing and coaching career and the simple reason is that we have chance to make 1.5 billion Indians happy tomorrow.
“We need to do everything to make it happen. that’s the reason this is biggest game of my career together in the coaching and playing days,” the 56-year-old said.
Currently at the second spot in their group with four points, India will consolidate that position if they beat Kuwait here.
Afghanistan, who also have four points and play Asian champions Qatar simultaneously on Thursday, have a goal difference of minus 10 as compared to minus three of India and that is expected to decide which team goes through to the third round as second-place finisher in the group.
India had beaten Kuwait 1-0 in the first leg in Kuwait City in November last year.
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