Stimac Warns India vs Brazil Clash Could Turn Embarrassing

Former India head coach Igor Stimac has criticised the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for pulling the national team out of the FIFA ASEAN Cup in order to schedule a high-profile friendly against Brazil. Stimac believes the switch could backfire badly for the Blue Tigers on the pitch.

AIFF’s ASEAN Cup Withdrawal Draws Criticism

India are set to take on five-time World Cup champions Brazil on October 3 at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. To make room for the fixture, the AIFF withdrew from the FIFA ASEAN Cup, since both events fall within the same international window. The federation’s decision has already drawn sharp criticism from fans and former captain Baichung Bhutia, who questioned the logic of skipping a competitive tournament for a one-off exhibition game.

Stimac Calls for Better Calendar Planning

Speaking to Sports Now, Stimac added his voice to the backlash, arguing that Indian football’s priority should be fixing its disorganised domestic calendar rather than chasing marquee friendlies. He described the move as being driven more by marketing considerations than football logic, and cautioned that facing a side of Brazil’s calibre without adequate preparation risks turning into a heavy defeat for India.

The Croatian coach stressed that India’s domestic league must be aligned with the national team’s requirements. He said the country needs to <cite index=”0-1″>”synchronise local leagues, which are your base, with the national team’s needs”</cite>, adding that competitive tournaments should be chosen strategically to help India climb the FIFA rankings rather than for one-off spectacle matches like the Brazil clash.

With India currently ranked near the bottom of world football, Stimac’s comments add to growing pressure on the AIFF to rethink its long-term scheduling strategy ahead of major tournaments.