Indian Football staff head Coach Igor Stimac arguing with the fourth official in the course of the SAFF Championship 2023 soccer match between India and Kuwait, in Bengaluru on June 27, 2023.| Photo Credit: MURALI KUMAR Ok

After being sent off during the India-Pakistan SAFF Championship soccer match for impeding a throw-in, head coach Igor Stimac was an unrepentant man.

“You can hate or love me for my actions, but I am a warrior and I will do it again when needed to protect our boys,” he proudly declared on Twitter.

Football is all about ardour, particularly once you defend the colors of your nation. 🇮🇳💙🇭🇷

You can hate or love me for my actions yesterday, however I'm a warrior and I'll do it once more when wanted to guard our boys on the pitch in opposition to unjustified selections. pic.twitter.com/Jgps3hrmDP

— Igor Štimac (@stimac_igor) June 22, 2023

On Tuesday in opposition to Kuwait, the Croat actually walked the discuss, getting despatched off once more for 2 yellow playing cards — one for thwarting one other throw-in and the second for relentlessly haranguing the fourth official.

Indian soccer staff head coach Igor Stimac, watching from public stands, in the course of the SAFF Championship 2023 soccer match between India and Kuwait, in Bengaluru on June 27, 2023.| Photo Credit:MURALI KUMAR Ok

Banished to the stands, Stimac sat with the followers, and at one level even stood together with his arms unfold out vast like Christ the Redeemer. But the sensation was unmistakable that Stimac ought to have been that image of peace on the pitch.

After the 55-year-old acquired his marching orders, the match descended into a fracas earlier than an personal purpose from Anwar Ali denied India a well-known win. Sunil Chhetri’s lament summed it up properly. “The feeling that comes to my mind is that of a loss,” the skipper stated.

India and Kuwait gamers scuffle with one another, throughout their SAFF Championship 2023 soccer in Bengaluru on June 27, 2023.| Photo Credit:MURALI KUMAR Ok

It stays to be seen whether or not the All India Football Association (AIFF) may have a phrase with Stimac. Shaji Prabhakaran, the AIFF Secretary General, refused to remark and instructed The Hindu that the matter can be “dealt internally.”

There is an opportunity that the SAFF disciplinary committee — which is anticipated to resolve in a day or two — might transcend the standard one-match ban, for the pinnacle coach is now a repeat offender, and that too in back-to-back matches.

Mahesh Gawli at Margao, in Goa on January 13, 2015.| Photo Credit:MURALI KUMAR Ok

But India’s assistant coach Mahesh Gawli, normally mild-mannered, thundered within the post-match briefing that Stimac did nothing unsuitable. “It was very bad refereeing,” stated Gawli, who will take cost in opposition to Lebanon in Saturday’s semifinal.

“If you continue using such referees, standards will drop. A Kuwaiti player was saying bad words [to Stimac], but only our coach got the red,” Gawli added.

Former India striker and Chennaiyin FC assistant coach Raman Vijayan empathised with Stimac and sought to give attention to the positives for India.

“Yes, we should be controlling our emotions, but these things happen,” he stated. “The best coaches in the world lose their temper. Even the Rahim Ali [red-card] incident... when Sahal [Abdul Samad] was pushed, as a co-player you can’t be quiet. If we had won the game, we wouldn’t be talking about this.

“It was really pleasing to see India compete like an equal side. We are not parking the bus like earlier. We are open and ready to challenge.

“[Not having Stimac for the next match] will affect the team. But these players have been playing regularly together. It shouldn’t be that big an issue,” Vijayan added.