Assistant coach Mahesh Gawli feels the red card to Igor Stimac was a very harsh call from the referee

India cruised their way through against Pakistan in their opening fixture of the 2023 SAFF Championships. A hattrick from their skipper Sunil Chhetri and a goal from Udanta Singh buoyed India ahead of their arch-rivals and gave them a perfect start as they carried the momentum from the Intercontinental Cup.

The match hardly had any dull moments as India head coach Igor Stimac was involved in a tussle with a Pakistani player during a throw-in. The Croatian tactician was charged by several Pakistani players, while their Indian counterparts revolted as well, creating a major ruckus on the field. Ultimately, Stimac was sent off, and former India defender Mahesh Gawli, who is the assistant coach was in charge for the rest of the game.

Gawli addressed the media in Stimac’s absence on the night. This was India’s seventh clean sheet in a row. Gawli feels that training has contributed majorly to India’s improved defence and also how the players have known each other for so many years also help them develop that chemistry and understanding.

“I think it is because of how we practise in training. We like to keep things simple and they are doing it. And they’ve been playing together for so long and it has helped them to improve,” he stated.

Speaking about Stimac’s red card, Gawli felt that the action from the Croatian was not right but he also highlighted how the referee did not pay much attention to how the Pakistani reacted to that action.“I think it was a red card because you can’t do that. But it was too harsh because the Pakistani players came and pushed him, but the referee did not see it and gave them a red card. Even their officials deserved a card,” he said.

India will now take on Nepal in their second group-stage game on June 24. Nepal have started their campaign with a 3-1 defeat against Kuwait. At this point, the Indian coaches are not underestimating any team as Gawli felt that Nepal will be a tough match for India. He also lauded them for playing well against Kuwait.

“We want to focus on Nepal now. They are a good side and they played a very good game against Kuwait as you all saw. It will be a very tough match for us,” he signed off.

India are in group A of the 2023 SAFF Championships along with Kuwait, Nepal and Pakistan whereas in group B there are Bangladesh, Lebanon, Maldives and Bhutan. Kuwait and Lebanon are the invited teams for this edition.