‘Must have won by bigger scoreline’

IMPHAL: India men’s football team head coach Igor Stimac said that the scoreline – 1-0 – in the tri-nation tournament’s opening match against Myanmar on Wednesday should have been bigger, given the host’s utter dominance throughout the contest.

Decisions on two moves involving captain and forward Sunil Chhetri – a foul on him in the box was not spotted and a goal was incorrectly disallowed for offside – went against the home team. “For me, the result is 3-0, not 1-0,” said Stimac.

“I cannot say anything to my players as they did everything we agreed upon. Goalkeeper Amrinder [Singh] was excellent and Sunil was unfortunate not to score. He was hungry and could have had a hat-trick,” added the Croatian.

Hailing Chhetri’s “hunger and determination”, Stimac said: “Sunil was the first player to make it to the camp after the Indian Super League (ISL) final. He can play continuously for three days.”