India football head coach Igor Stimac on Thursday defended his actions during the team’s 4-0 win over Pakistan in its SAFF Championship opener in Bangalore, saying he “will do it again” to protect his players against “unjustified decisions”.
Stimac was shown a red card for interrupting the actions of an opposition player at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Wednesday.
“Football is all about passion, especially when you defend the colours of your country. You can hate or love me for my actions yesterday (Wednesday), but I am a warrior and I will do it again when needed to protect our boys on the pitch against unjustified decisions,” Stimac tweeted.
The rain-drenched first half was meandering to its conclusion with the home side leading 2-0 after two Sunil Chhetri goals. But a moment of indiscretion from Stimac suddenly enlivened the proceedings.
India players during a training session in Bangalore on Thursday. India play Nepal in a SAFF Championship match on Saturday. AIFF
Stimac, a vastly experienced coach and player, chose to interfere when Pakistan player Abdullah Iqbal was ready for a throw-in. Stimac tried to pull back the ball from the player, sparking wild reactions from some visiting players as well as some coaching staff.
Referee Prajwal Chhetri and other match officials had to intervene to separate the intensely sparring individuals.
As the scuffle was brought under control, referee Chhetri showed the red card to Stimac, as per football rules, for interrupting the actions of an opposition player deliberately.
With Stimac red-carded, assistant coach Mahesh Gawli did the duty on the touchline.
A few players from India and Pakistan teams too were flashed yellow cards for intervening in the episode.
At the post-match news conference, Gawli said the red card might appear a bit harsh on his senior, but the referee had to go by the book.
“Yeah, it was an offence that if you go by the book often attracts a red card.
“But yeah, then we feel that it might have been a bit harsh on the coach.
“A Pakistan team official came and headbutted our manager but he escaped. Probably, the officials didn’t see that,” Gawli said.
Bangladesh lose
Lebanon earned full points in their opening Group B match when they defeated Bangladesh 2-0 on Thursday.
Two late goals from Hassan Maatouk and Khalil Bader were enough to break Bangladesh’s resistance.
Lebanon clearly enjoyed more possession of the ball in the first half.
But Bangladesh fought toe to toe in the first half to keep Lebanon at bay.
Bangladesh’s Spanish coach Javier Cabrera opted to play with five midfielders keeping lone striker Mohammed Suman Reza upfront.
In another match, Maldives beat Bhutan 2-0.