'Like Ronaldo in the world, that's what Chhangte is becoming in India': Igor Stimac

India find themselves a confident unit irrespective of their opponents. The route-one approach of sending long balls from one half to the other is rare and it has been refurbished into a different style, featuring good build-ups through short passes, impressive sprints and link-ups on the flanks, and smart switches from one side to another. The national team is currently occupied at the SAFF Championship 2023, where they have expressed themselves in a similar fashion, thrashing Pakistan 4-0 and then securing a 2-0 victory over Nepal. It looks like, Igor Stimac is finally showing his style of play.

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Igor Stimac's Take on Chhangte:

"I would say Chhangte and also (Naorem Singh) Mahesh. The two of them are giving us now amazing options in the final third because they are very special players. Obviously, the season they had behind them helped and the faith the club coaches have in them went a lot way in them becoming more relaxed and creative on the pitch. To express themselves and just having them with the national team is a great thing for us. And I praise everyone who was working with them, their talent, and mostly commitment," Indian coach Igor Stimac said in an interview with Hindustan Times.

"Chhangte is very, very important, if not the most important player for the future of Indian football because he's a proper role model of professional football. Like Ronaldo in the world. That's what Chhangte is becoming in India," He added.

Group A's table-toppers India and Kuwait lock horns in the last group match of the Bangabandhu SAFF Championship 2023, at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

Both teams are level on points (6) and goal difference (+6) and have already qualified for the semi-finals. As such, the winners will determine who tops the group and takes on the second-placed side from Group B in the last four. For India, only a win will earn them pole position since they trail Kuwait on goals scored.