India is playing a good brand of football under Stimac: Bhutia

While he has lost the other four games, the goals scored by India in all these matches stand at 9 as compared to the ones conceded - 18. But former India skipper Bhaichung Bhutia believed it is not the time to panic.

Bhutia said that while the results weren’t anything to write home about, one needed to wait and watch as the quality of football being played by the Blue Tigers under Stimac has definitely put opposition teams on the back foot.

“I am no one to assess his performance. I hope the team starts doing better. What I am happy is that the team is playing a good brand of football, that is for sure. It has been unlucky in two matches. I don’t see anything big to worry about,” he said.

Bhutia’s comment comes as a huge boost for the coach after AIFF’s Technical Committee made its displeasure known over the Stimac’s performance in the games against Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

“Obviously in terms of results, he hasn’t got them so far, but the team is playing well. I think we should be a little more patient. I, definitely, will give him more time. I am not in a rush to come to a conclusion. The team is playing good, though he has not got the results. Obviously everybody wants to see the results. So, let’s see,” he pointed.

Bhutia though agreed with the views of Stimac about the shortage of natural strikers. While the team is creating opportunities, it is failing to convert them. The former player felt that the team must create players who can convert because Sunil Chhetri too is not getting any younger.

“That problem is there. After Chhetri, there is a huge vacuum as to who will score goals,” he rued.