Indian footballers join hands to contribute funds in fight against coronavirus
Football | March 31, 2020 17:19 ISTSeveral members of the Indian football team have come forward to lend a helping hand by contributing for the cause.
Several members of the Indian football team have come forward to lend a helping hand by contributing for the cause.
India's away friendly against Tajikistan on March 31 is also all but certain to be postponed.
The Indian team is out of the reckoning for a 2022 World Cup berth but Stimac said the country will have a chance to qualify for the 2026 edition.
There have been concerns raised over underfoot conditions of the Kalinga Stadium with some ISL away team coaches not being too pleased with the pitch.
India began the second round of the qualifiers with a narrow 1-2 defeat to higher-ranked Oman before a memorable goal-less draw against Asian champions Qatar in Doha in September.
The turnout for the Bangladesh game, unprecedented for national team matches in the country, left everyone impressed with India head coach Igor Stimac saying that it will remain in his memory forever.
India missed their star defender Sandesh Jhingan sorely as a judgmental error from Gurpreet Singh Sandhu saw Bangladesh go 1-0 up in the 42nd minute through a Saad Uddin header.
A first-half strike from Saad Uddin in the 42nd minute helped Bangladesh take a shock lead against India, who are 83 places above them and drew 0-0 against Asian champions Qatar in their last game.
With Indian Super League (ISL) set to begin on October 20 followed by the I-League most of the players will be out to represent their respective franchises and Stimac is worried that he won't get enough players for the camp.
Bangladesh football is in dire need of investment and sponsorship as there is lack of academy, equipment and the league is also not properly structured.
Chhetri was not part of India's famous 0-0 draw against Asian champions Qatar last month due to illness.
After holding Asian champions Qatar to a 0-0 draw last month, Sunil Chhetri and Co. will be eyeing to notch their first win in group E to keep their slender qualification hopes alive.
"We'll need to work on set-pieces, combinations and choose the best eleven for the game. The entire squad is extremely excited. Thank you Kolkata for your response," Stimac said.
Bhutia said that the team's defence has already showed a good account of itself in the last two World Cup qualifier matches and the onus is on the strikers to deliver against Bangladesh on October 15.
Asked about the Indian players they are wary of, unsurprisingly Jamie Day said captain and record goalscorer Sunil Chhetri is Bangladesh's main threat.
India football team's head coach Igor Stimac announced a list of 29 probables for the upcoming world cup qualifier against Bangladesh.
India football team's head coach Igor Stimac announced a list of 29 probables for the upcoming world cup qualifier against Bangladesh.
Indian football team coach Igor Stimac on Tuesday named a 29 probables for a preparatory camp ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Bangladesh.
Sridarth was the top performer, scoring a brace, while Shubho Paul was also not too far behind, scoring a first-half goal and providing an assist for Taison Singh in the second half.
Qatar enjoyed 63% possession and had 13 shots on target but Gurpreet was unbeatable.
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