Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second-largest city, is situated in the heart of the picturesque Thai highlands, nearly 700 kilometers to the north of the bustling capital, Bangkok. This location lends it a more secluded and tranquil character.
Nevertheless, the Indian men’s football team received an abundance of support upon their arrival at the airport on Monday night in preparation for the 49th King’s Cup 2023. Representatives from the Consulate of India in Chiang Mai, along with numerous Indian residents, greeted the Blue Tigers with warm garlands and enthusiastic ‘Chak de India!’ chants, much to the delight and surprise of the Indian squad.
As rain poured outside, head coach Igor Stimac expressed his appreciation for such weather, saying, “I quite enjoy this kind of weather. I played in England for six years and found the weather there pleasant. However, in England, it’s not as hot as it is here.”
With a week-long forecast predicting more rain, could the weather potentially benefit India, considering they are accustomed to playing in rainy and humid conditions? According to Stimac, it’s a mixed bag. He mentioned, “The rain could provide some refreshment for our players in terms of their physical and mental state. However, it’s essential to note that the weather and pitch conditions are equal for all teams. In that regard, there won’t be any advantages (against Iraq). We are both competing on foreign soil,” remarked the Croatian coach, who turns 56 on Wednesday, the day before the match.
As his birthday approaches, Stimac expressed his hope that the team can bring some joy to his special day with a victory against Iraq.
Filled with renewed enthusiasm after reuniting with the team for the first time since their euphoric victories in the SAFF Championship and Intercontinental Cup, Stimac eagerly anticipates his first training session on Tuesday. He remarked, “I missed them a lot, and now I’ll discover how much they missed me.”
On a more serious note, there isn’t a lot of time to acclimate before the crucial match against Iraq, and this is especially true for the players from Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal who were part of the Durand Cup final.Stimac congratulated the winners of the final on Sunday and emphasized the urgency of preparing for the upcoming match. He stated, “Congratulations to those who emerged victorious in the final on Sunday. We need to prepare quickly as time is limited. Some of the players may be fatigued after the final, so we will be cautious in planning regeneration sessions for them, while also focusing on preparing the rest of the players who are well-rested.
“The King’s Cup semi-final will mark India’s 12th match of the year and their first international match. Stimac has consistently expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming crowd support received in Imphal, Bhubaneswar, and Bengaluru, acknowledging how Indian fans played a pivotal role in their three trophy wins this year. When asked if he had a message for the fans back home in India, Stimac responded with a broad smile, simply saying, “I love you all!”
