• Source:JND
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Indian men's football team head coach Igor Stimac made a sincere and gracious request to all the Indian Super League (ISL) clubs to release the selected players in order to make them available for the preparatory camp ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup.

Stimac released an official post on social media on Saturday.

In a lengthy note, the Croatian mentioned that Indian football is at a “crucial junction” and requested the clubs to contribute and support the national team considering the challenging tournaments ahead.

 

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The Blue Tigers are scheduled to take part in four major tournaments – AFC U23 qualifiers, Asian Games, World Cup Qualifiers, and AFC Asian Cup – apart from the Thailand King's Cup, which will be held in September.

"A sincere request to all ISL Clubs.

"Indian Football is at a crucial junction right now. We've all worked very hard over the last few years to create a culture and build momentum to move towards our ultimate goals, and we need to continue working together and march forward.

"I urge all clubs to continue supporting our national teams, especially in the upcoming months packed with some major tournaments - AFC U23 qualifiers, Asian Games, World Cup Qualifiers, and AFC Asian Cup. We as a nation want to be able to put our best players on the pitch against the footballing giants of Asia and the World and show them that we are not to be taken lightly.

"Each national team success is adding extra value to all the players and now we know that our boys can compete against the best teams only when we are given enough time for preparation prior to important challenges.

"The work that each and every club has put into developing and nurturing our players over the last few years is really commendable and the results can undeniably be seen in the National Team's recent performances. I want to thank all the clubs and their respective coaches for the huge part they've played in developing Indian football and kindly ask you all to keep supporting our request for longer camps throughout November and December prior to the World Cup Qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup. You dear coaches know best that short preparation time is killing any hopes for us doing well in these major tournaments.

“I can assure you, our national teams will make sure to validate your support with our performances. Let's take our nation to the pinnacle of football,” read the statement.

Stimac purposely focussed on the need and importance of longer national camps and mentioned it as a reason for the team's recent major success in the Intercontinental and SAFF Championship.

Even the players including captain Sunil Chhetri mentioned the same and wanted it to be considered seriously.

"We are going to face Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria in the Asian Cup (group matches), that is why Stimac (as well as goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu) have spoken about long camps. We need it and I really hope we get it," India captain Sunil Chhetri had said in a virtual media interaction after the SAFF Championship.

 

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However, East Bengal and Mumbai City FC have written to the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) saying they will not release players for the training camp in Bhubaneswar scheduled to begin on August 12.

The camp for the Asian U-23 qualifiers is scheduled from September 6-12 in Dalian, China. The India team, under the guidance of coach Clifford Miranda, shares the group with Maldives, UAE, and China with the qualifiers also being part of the 2024 Olympics qualifying cycle.