India vs Pakistan: Igor Stimac warns against underestimating rivals in SAFF Championship | IND vs PAK

India coach Igor Stimac has cautioned his team against being deceived by the lower FIFA rankings of their opponents in Group A of the SAFF Championship 2023. He emphasized the importance of maintaining their intensity and not underestimating any team.

Speaking at the pre-match presser, Stimac said, "Forget about the FIFA rankings! All the teams in our group and in general in the tournament are very special. All four teams are quite efficient and can produce different kind of football. The crowd will love it as there will be a lot of goals. We have a very serious group and some tough opponents."

India's first match in the tournament will be against Pakistan at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Wednesday.

Stimac acknowledged that the Indian team's confidence is high following their recent victory over Lebanon in the Intercontinental Cup, but he stressed the need to stay focused. He also highlighted the potential threat posed by Pakistan, despite their recent lack of favorable results.

Stimac urged his team to work on understanding the strengths and weaknesses of all the opponents.

Furthermore, Stimac mentioned the adjustment required to adapt to the different conditions in Bengaluru, where the matches will take place. Having come from Odisha, where temperatures soared above 40 degrees Celsius, the team needs to acclimate to the cooler weather and the artificial playing surface in Bengaluru.

The Intercontinental Cup triumph, which saw Sunil Chhetri get on the scoresheet once again, has boosted the team's morale, and they will look to Chhetri to continue his impressive form in the SAFF Championship as well.

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