India need nothing more than a win against a tricky Syria to keep alive their faint hopes of making the knockout stage.
Stimac had said he would need at least a four-week camp to do well in the Asian Cup while the All India Football Federation (AIFF) top brass had indicated that his demand would be difficult to meet as the clubs may not agree to release their players for such a long period in the midst of the domestic season.
India now need to beat Bangladesh and Myanmar in their remaining two games to qualify for the second round. Myanmar beat Bangladesh 4-2 in the other group game earlier.
East Bengal finished the season in the bottom-place on the points table, with only one win in 20 matches
An Indian Super League play-off match descended into chaos when the Kerala Blasters walked off the pitch in protest after Bengaluru FC's Sunil Chhetri scored from a quickly-taken free kick on Friday.
Hyderabad now have 29 points from 16 games, four more than second-placed Jamshedpur FC who have played two matches less. Bengaluru remain third with 23 in their kitty from 16 outings.
Chhetri works his magic but India split points with Kuwait
'I'm so sad to see the visuals of our Athletes.... Please solve this ASAP'
India captain Sunil Chhetri on Saturday said that he is "fossilized" and the country may not find his exact replacement.
Chhetri has played for India 142 times and has scored 92 goals, the most by an Indian. He is also currently the third most prolific scorer in international football among active players, behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Hosts India clinched the SAFF Championships title for the ninth time after beating Kuwait 5-4 in a tense penalty shootout.
Costa nodded home a Javier Hernandez corner at the far post to log home full points for BFC
Sunil Chhetri's late goal earned India the 1-0 victory over Nepal in the SAFF Championship, at the National Football Stadium in Male, Maldives, on Sunday. The victory took India to third in the group standings with five points, just a behind Maldives and Nepal, both of whom have six points each.
Sunil Chhetri was once again the man of the moment as he struck a brace to inspire India to a 2-0 win over Cambodia in the third round of qualifying for next year's Asian Cup.
India football team head coach Igor Stimac, on Sunday, lashed out at the Indian Super League (ISL) organisers Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL)
Indian football head coach Igor Stimac hailed Sunil Chhetri, saying the talismanic captain was one of those who "glorified" Indian football with his dedication in the 15 years of his illustrious career. The 35-year-old Chhetri on Friday became only the second Indian after legendary Bhaichung Bhutia to complete 15 years in Indian jersey.
'The CoA (which is running the show in AIFF after the suspension of president Praful Patel) must go deep into this appalling incident and find out who all are responsible behind it. There are many scams waiting to see the light of the day.'
India lose to Iraq in penalty shootout, face Lebanon in bronze medal playoff.
Sunil Chhetri, who will complete 15 years in international football on June 12, is India's highest goal-scorer with 72 strikes from 115 matches. He is the second highest goal-scorer in international football in the world among active players behind Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentine maestro Lionel Messi.
Amitabh Bachchan, surprisingly, feels a sense 'dar' as to how he will conduct himself on KBC.
The Indian Super League giants said they have raised the issue with the 'relevant authorities'.
India look to ward off Nepal threat and move closer to semifinals
Granada and Bilbao complete match suspended after supporter's death
India captain Sunil Chhetri added another feather to his illustrious cap as he overtook Argentina star Lionel Messi to become the second-highest goalscorer among the current players in international football.
Brought on in the 82nd minute, Chhetri received a perfect delivery from Anirudh Thapa but the India captain could not find the back of the net.
India's ranking among Asian Football Confederation members, however, still remained static at 19th place
Phan Van Duc (10th), Nguyen Van Toan (49th) and Nguyen Van Quyet (70th) scored for Vietnam to no reply from the Indians whose defenders had a mediocre outing, especially in the second half.
'Gorkhas are terrific soldiers. They are known the world over for their fighting qualities.'
Chhetri is a star striker for both India and Bengaluru FC.
India face tough Iraq test sans Chhetri
Talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri struck twice to lead a beleaguered India to a 3-1 win over hosts Maldives in their final league match and enter the title clasg of the SAFF Championships in Male on Wednesday.
Sunil Chhetri will be the cynosure of all eyes as the Blue Tigers look to regain the Intercontinental Cup
Sunil Chhetri, playing in his 121st international in the SAFF Championship, struck in the 27th minute to place himself just a goal shy of legendary Brazillian Pele (77 goals from 92 matches).
Sunil Chhetri said said if more people are made aware and educated about the issue, the incidents of abuse will also go down.
Kuruniyan ACL tear sparks row, Mohun Bagan 'refuse' to release players for Asian Games
Till the time I play sport, I'll train like a maniac, the Indian cricket captain tells national football skipper Sunil Chhetri in an Instagram Live chat, credits trainer Shanker Basu for his physical transformation.
AIFF President Praful Patel congratulated Chhetri on being conferred with the Khel Ratna.
India's premier shot-stopper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu went for the tried and tested formula of defending penalty kicks -- predict a side and dive, leaving the outcome to chance.
Here are some of the controversies, which cast a shadow on Indian sport as the athletes prepared for the Asian Games.
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