AFC Asian Cup 2024: 'Impressed With How Igor Stimac Has Built Indian Team,' Says New Assistant Coach Trevor Sinclair

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Indian football team's newly-appointed coach Trevor Sinclair joins the team days ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2024 as coach Igor Stimac and the team are in the 11th hour of their preparations in the Gulf nation. Sinclair, who is tasked with preparing the team for the set pieces, backed Stimac for the work he has done in India since he arrived in 2019.

Trevor Sinclair, who made 12 appearances for England in 2001-03, said before taking up the assignment as the assistant coach, Igor Stimac shared videos with him, the former winger could see the side that has been built over the last four years.

"When Igor sent me the videos of the team before coming here, I could see the considerable work that's gone into this side. It's a nuance, not quite obvious to all people," said Sinclair. "I was impressed with how Igor has built this team. He's had the maturity to get the boys to do the basics well and showcase them in the match situations."

AFC Asian Cup 2024 will get underway in 10 days in Qatar with India facing World No. 25 Australia on the second day of the tournament at Al-Rayyan Stadium in Al Jahhaniya. World No. 102 India are the lowest-ranked team in Group B with Uzbekistan (68) and Syria (91 and coach Trevor Sinclair relishes the underdogs' tag, urging players to fight for the national shirt.

"We are the underdogs, but I like the challenge that comes with that status. I myself have come through from the fourth tier of English football, so I know it's all about hard work and creating a culture amongst the players so that they can supersede the expectations and create more belief in the group. We've got to fight for the shirt," said Sinclair.

India will play their remaining group games on January 18 (against Uzbekistan) and January 23 (Syria) with the objective to qualify for the knockout stages. Finishing among top two will take them directly to the round of 16 while an alternate route is to be among the four best-placed third-ranked teams with six nations in contention.