Before the draws of the joint Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup were released, reigning Asian Champions, Qatar were the one team every nation wanted to avoid. The Maroons had claimed continental glory at the start of February and had since gone toe-to-toe with powerhouses like Argentina and Columbia at the 2019 Copa América.

Igor Stimac meanwhile, was only months into his job as the coach of the Indian national football team. The Croatian brought with him new ideas and structure which involved a style and philosophy not so familiar with the Blue Tigers. He thus, smartly utilized the preceding tournaments like the King’s Cup and the Hero Intercontinental Cup to embed his objectives in his players, whilst simultaneously working on their fitness levels.

The much-awaited draws were made and released in mid-July, with India and Qatar placed together alongside the likes of Oman, Afghanistan and Bangladesh in Group E. Stimac, whose focus had always been on these matches ever since his appointment, must have been pleased as apart from the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts, all the other teams were beatable if his men pulled out their A-game.

However, football’s unpredictability can never be quantified, and the Blue Tigers learnt that the hard way in their opening matchup at home to Oman. India led the fixture for more than 80 minutes, displaying a new-found courage on the ball and discipline off it. The Reds though, emerged victorious with two late goals, which seriously hurt Stimac’s men and put them in a difficult mental situation going into the game against Qatar five days later.

At his pre-match press conference held a day prior to that fixture, the 52-year-old was honest in his assessment of the gulf in class between the two units. He stressed Qatar were quite a level above his team, who thereby had nothing to fear and could go out and express themselves. Stimac also emphasized the power of belief and unity within a squad, while also revealing that his players made him proud at each step.

The motivation provided both on and off the camera worked more than wonders for the Croat, as the Blue Tigers valiantly held the mighty Asian giants in their own backyard. All through the game, the team portrayed skills and qualities not just from a football perspective, but also from a mental and psychological aspect. The fight and determination displayed by every member of the squad won the hearts of many an Indian; which was something that pleased Stimac more than anything.

While on his way back home, the 52-year-old evoked the memories from that result whilst reminding everyone that the journey had just started. In a social media post, he shared this message with the world:

“Dear staff and players, travelling back home to join my family I was just thinking about all of you, what a great job you have done and how much I enjoyed working with you.
This is just the start of a beautiful long journey we are to go through together!
And remember:
1. Ability is what you’re capable of doing and YOU HAVE the ability!
2. Motivation determines what you do!
3. Attitude determines HOW WELL you do it!
Let’s keep our dream alive, let’s keep our attitude at the highest possible level working even more harder now when we are not together during this gap!
You made your country proud!
God Bless you all, JAIHO!
Head coach.”

In the end, Stimac also added some words of encouragement for the players who missed the Qualifiers due to injuries:
“Also, message to the ones who missed the camp due to injuries. Don’t be disheartened and put your best to come back stronger and roar.”

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2019-2020