generation of players: Igor Stimac
Dubai, Oct 31 (UNI) Head coach Igor Stimac lauded Indian Arrows
project and hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup in India in 2017 for
developing a "new generation of players" who went on to register India's
best-ever finish in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers in UAE, on
Saturday, October 30.
"This just proves that the project which started years ago in India
with Indian Arrows and the FIFA U-17 World Cup were the right steps in
developing a new generation of players who will have more confidence
on the pitch and not hesitate to face anyone," Stimac stated after
India finished second in Group E of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers
on Saturday (October 30, 2021).
India finished their campaign having bagged 4 points with one win
against Oman (2-1) and a draw against the Kyrgyz Republic (0-0), only
two points behind group leaders UAE.
Both India and Kyrgyz Republic finished on four points apiece after
finishing with a goalless draw in their last match of Group E. With
both the teams on the same number of points, goal difference (0), and
goals scored (2), a penalty shootout was held to decide who finishes
second and third, respectively. India won the shootout 4-2 by virtue
of heroics from goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem.
Stimac went on to congratulate UAE for hosting the Group E Qualifiers
as well as qualifying for the finals.
"I would like to congratulate everyone, especially UAE, Fujairah, and
everyone involved for organising the tournament so nicely. We enjoyed
our stay here. Deservedly, they qualified to the finals too," he
mentioned.
India, owing to finishing second in the group, still stand a
possibility of qualifying to the finals next year.
"We still have hopes to qualify for the finals. The boys absolutely
deserve it. Everyone in India sees that we have a bright future
ahead," Stimac averred.
Dheeraj Singh had an astounding outing in the three matches, having
conceded only two goals in as many games and making a myriad of saves
to help his team accumulate four points. The fact that one of the two
goals was scored from the penalty spot rightly highlighted the purple
patch he hit under the woodwork.
"Yes, he's the man of the match because he made some crucial stops in
the first half when we gave the Kyrgyz two gifts without a reason, and
he was there to keep us in the game. Finally, saving those two
penalties in the shootout was something extraordinary."
Stimac continued, "He's already been with the senior team for a while.
He's already competed in the AFC Champions League last season and he
was magnificent there. He's a fantastic stop-stopper at the penalty
shootouts. We believed he could come up with a few saves there."
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