How Igor Stimac Got It Wrong With Indian Football: From Selecting Team India On Astrologer's Advice To Drubbing In Qatar

how igor stimac got it wrong selecting team india on astrologer advice to drubbing in afc asian cup 2023 qatar

Indian football team’s AFC Asian Cup 2023 campaign hangs by a mathematical thread after Uzbekistan’s 0-3 thrashing in their second Group B encounter. What made it even worse was that all the goals came in the first half. This was India’s second consecutive defeat in the competition after their loss to Australia in the first match. Technically, they might still be alive in the continental meet, but the two games have given a reality check to Igor Stimac and his men, and the gap in terms of quality and consistency against top teams is massive.

Even before the start of this tournament, the Blue Tigers were caught on the wrong foot, starting with the alleged correspondence with an astrologer during the Asian Cup Qualifiers in September 2023. News organization PTI had reported that the AIFF had hired an astrologer for predictions on the Indian football team for an estimated cost of 16 lakh. As per media reports, Stimac was directly in touch with the astrologer to seek his opinion on the team selection during the Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Relying on astrology over scouting, statistics, and performance data sends a message that professional analysis and informed decision-making are secondary to superstitious practices. Stimac’s actions cast doubt on his own tactical judgment and ability to evaluate players based on merit. This erodes player trust and confidence in the coaching staff, impacting team morale and cohesion.

Then comes his head-on collision with ISL clubs ( before the Asian Games) over the release of players for extended periods outside the FIFA window. “I didn’t pardon my language now, come to India to lick a**es,” he had famously said to theindianexpress.com. This disagreement between the clubs and the national team management showed the various layers of complications which ultimately hurt the national team. After that, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) had to issue a show-cause notice to the senior men’s team head coach for the comments above.

A day before the game against Uzbekistan, Stimac said that when India starts producing complete footballers with all elements – strength, height, speed and technicality – the tide could turn. But it has been five years under him, and yet it seems like the total footballer in an Indian jersey is a distant dream. Going two goals down in the first 15 minutes and then resorting to passing back without pressing forward isn’t the right way. The match saw some glaring errors committed by Indian players, leading to Uzbekistan capitalizing on the opportunities. The defensive lapses were such that it also drew fans ire on social media. For someone known as a master tactician of defence, Stimac’s boys failed to maintain a compact shape in defence, but the bigger worry was also the lack of awareness to follow third-man runs.

No wonder social media was abuzz with shouts of sacking manager Stimac and calling for a change.

“There is enough learning that they had for the past couple of years; AIFF should sack Igor Stimac right now. India needs a kind of manager who can build a tactical vision around the team; right now, what they are doing is not tactical. It’s simple basic play against the big teams,” – wrote Nilajit Sarkar on X.

“Igor Stimac, it all seemed fine and well with Stimac in charge but it just isn’t clicking, is it? Not saying SACK HIM but there’s got to be threshold point, right??” – observed another ardent fan Rik on X.

“Sack @stimac_igor. His biased favouritism towards selection cost us.” – said Santosh Kumar.

Three years ago, after India slumped to a 6-0 defeat against UAE in an international friendly, in an interview with TOI, Stimac had said that the path ahead would be painful and long, but it does seem that path is finally reaching its end.