Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac is confident that India will secure a place in the upcoming tournament in China by winning the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers and charismatic captain Sunil Chhetri is also making a comeback in the team in a fit state. 37-year-old Chhetri is going to return to the team after 6 months. He last played against Nepal in the SAIF Championship final in October when India won by 3.0.
Stimac has said that Chhetri is fully fit and is going to be the strength of the team. He has said, 'Sunil is completely fit. We didn't play him in the matches against Bahrain and Belarus as he needed time to regain fitness. He had said, 'This break has been good for him and now he is completely fit. Got to see this in practice. He is going to be the pivot of the Indian team's attack.
Chhetri did not play against Belarus and Bahrain in March due to fitness reasons. Stimac's contract was extended till September 2022 and now the focus will be on them too. He has said in an online conversation, 'Expectations are always there. I am sure we are well prepared. Some players are not with us but we will do well. India are scheduled to play practice matches against ATK Mohun Bagan on Wednesday and I-League All-Star team on May 17. After which Zambia (25 May) and Jordan (28 May) are playing practice matches in Doha. India is the highest ranked team in Group D with Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Cambodia playing it.
