Asian Cup 2022 qualifiers: India beat Cambodia 

The Salt Lake Stadium, which was initially slated to allow only 12,000 visitors based on an assumption by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), witnessed more than 20,000 spectators on June 8. The AIFF was not expecting more than 10,000 people to show up for India's matches at the Asian Cup Group D qualifiers. 

Besides India, the group includes Cambodia (ranked 171st), Hong Kong (147), and Afghanistan (150). Stimac addressed the media before their first match took off. He said, "I would say we have prepared for any case scenario, but we intend to press from the first minute of the game and put Cambodia under high pressure." The AIFF's technical committee chairman Shyam Thapa (former centre-forward for India), pushed the team to play "open" football. He believes that draws don't bring much glory. He has witnessed these players move open football while turning up for their respective clubs in the Indian Super League (ISL) instead of how they play international matches. 

Thapa believes India has not improved; they may not qualify for Asian Cup

Although Thapa's comparison holds weight, it is to be noted how foreigners tend to be the star performers for their respective sides in the ISL while their Indian teammates remain under their shadow. It poses the question of whether the Indian team can play open football without their foreign teammates' guidance and other questions surrounding their fitness. Thapa revealed that Indian football "hasn't moved an inch" in decades. "Given Stimac's reputation as a footballer and his experience of coaching at the highest level, we were hopeful that India's performance under him would improve," said Thapa. 

However, Thapa also believes that the team hasn't remarkably achieved much besides winning the SAFF Championship. Despite his disappointment, he chooses not to blame Stimac. Team India requires more extended camps to prepare the national team. Although India has started the campaign as favourites, FIFA rankings aren't entirely reliable, and there might be a few setbacks for India. Not long ago, India had slipped down to below 150 in world rankings. In addition, their matches against Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka over the last two years have ended in draws. 

Stimac might lose his job if India doesn't perform.

Aware of India's uncertainty, Stimac said, "From position 100 until 180-200, there are no easy games. There's a minimal margin and difference in quality. The difference is that if you can score an early goal or if you can score in the first half an hour; that makes your game easier. If you don't, it makes you more nervous." If India fails to qualify for the Asian Cup, it might have grave consequences for him and put his job at risk. However, Thapa believes it would be catastrophic for Indian football.