Igor Stimac: "We will not take responsibility for the results if we are not given time" said the Indian national team coach

"We once again proved that if we are given time to create an environment that produces results for India and Indian football, then we are successful as a team, otherwise we are not taking responsibility for the results in the future." said Igor Stimac.

The Indian National Team coach, Igor Stimac did not hold back after his team won their ninth SAFF Championship in Bengaluru.

"This was good, we created memories and we proved once again to everyone when we are given time to work together, to create an environment which can produce results for Indian football, then we are successful as a team and you can enjoy the game we play," the Croat said, after the triumph over Kuwait in the final.

The 55-year-old said that the victory, though important, will not have much of a bearing on the preparations for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup to be played early next year.

"Asian Cup is far away. The most important time for the National team of India to prepare well for the Asian Cup is December. We are looking to get minimum four weeks preparation. The rest doesn't matter.". said Igor Stimac.

He was not present in the dugout during the final owing to his red card against Kuwait, completed his default one-match suspension, against Lebanon in the semifinal but has been penalised further by the disciplinary committee of the tournament.

India beat Kuwait 5-4 in penalties after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time to clinch their ninth SAFF Championship title. Alkhaldi opened the scoring for Kuwait but Lallianzuala Chhangte found the all-important equaliser.

In the penalty shootout, Udanta Singh missed one penalty for India while Abdullah hit the post for Kuwait. The match went into sudden death and it was Gurpreet Singh Sandhu who saved the penalty from Hajiah to clinch the win.

Igor Stimac has been supremely successful in 2023 with India winning three tournaments.