Ace defender Mahesh Gawli, who represented India in 82 matches, brought the curtain down on his 12-year-old international football career on Monday.
While the players did the job on the field, the man quietly working behind the scenes was former India centre-back Mahesh Gawali.
India look to ward off Nepal threat and move closer to semifinals
Just prior to half-time the ball rolled outside the pitch and Pakistan defender Abdullah Iqbal was going to take the throw. But Stimac was seen walking up to him and knocking the ball out of his hand.
India's brilliant 4-0 rout of Pakistan in the SAFF Championship had a slight jarring note to it as head coach Igor Stimac had to vacate the dugout.
India assistant coach Gawli slams refereeing
Assistant coach Mahesh Gawli will have to take his place.
Stimac, a vastly experienced coach and 1998 World Cup bronze medallist for Croatia, interfered when Pakistan player Abdullah Iqbal was ready to make a throw-in. He tried to pull back the ball from the player, sparking wild reactions from some Pakistani players as well as some coaching staff.
This will be the second time India will face Kuwait in the tournament. They had played out a 1-1 draw in an acrimonious Group A match last week.
Chhetri is 38 but still continues to be the spearhead of Indian attack
India were able to stitch a rag-tag final squad only on Friday and the team left for China on Sunday, leaving no time for the players to even have a training session together.
Unveiling Sunil Chhetri's hidden side: From troublemaker to inspirational captain!
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.
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia on Saturday said his ex-colleagues Climax Lawrence and Mahesh Gawli took hasty decisions to retire from international football as he felt that the duo could have served the country for some more years.
Mohammad Rafi's first-half strike saved India the blushes as they eked out a narrow 1-0 win over Portuguese football club Real Massama in their second practice match in Lisbon.
Mahesh Gawli was one of the few senior players who escaped coach Armando Colaco's axe but the veteran defender feels that infusing young blood is the right way to go in the current scenario of Indian football.
Dempo Sports Club secretary-cum-coach Armando Colaco has written to the All India Football Federation informing that Dr Mahendra Kudchadkar, the club's doctor, has certified the duo -- both under indefinite suspension -- fit.
Dempo Sports Club have accused the All India Football Federation (AIFF) of neglecting their players during camps, forcing injured players to play and flouting standard medical procedures.
The All India Football Federation on Sunday suspended Mahesh Gawli and Sameer Naik for missing a national camp on a direction from their I-League club Dempo. Their fate will be decided by a disciplinary committee before the start of the Federation Cup next month.
Dempo have appealed to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to revoke the Rs five lakh fine imposed on them for refusing to release their players Mahesh Gawli and Sameer Naik for the national camp early this month, national federation general secretary Alberto Colaco said on Tuesday.
Injury will keep India's key players out of the match against Afghanistan in the AFC Challenge Cup in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
Dempo played out a goalless draw with East Bengal in a 12th round match of the I-League, at the Nehru stadium, in Margao, Goa, on Friday.
Dempo have their tasks cut out when they meet Mahindra United in a fourth round encounter of the I-League football championship at Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Panaji.
Dempo put up an improved performance in the second half to hold Salgaocar Sports Club 1-1 in a second round I-League match at the Tilak ground in Panaji, Goa, on Wednesday.
India's probable football team for next season has many players returning from injury.
Dempo failed to qualify for the AFC Cup quarter-finals after suffering a 1-3 defeat to Kuwait Sports Club in the round of 16 match in Kuwait City. Dempo, without key defender Mahesh Gawli, who had to sit out because off a booking, were the second-best team for most part of the single-leg pre-quarter-final at the Kuwait SC Stadium on Tuesday night.
Sunil Chettri pipped Dempo duo of Mahesh Gawli and Climax Lawrence to emerge as the AIFF Player of the Year for his excellent performances for his club and country.
A goalless draw with GDR Monsanto enabled the Indians round off their tour of Portugal on an unbeaten note.
The two stalwarts of Indian football failed to measure up to coach Bob Houghton's high fitness demands and were axed from the team for the Asian Cup qualifier.
The National Football League champions have signed on the cream of Indian football this season.
India football captain Subrata Paul is among retired stars Climax Lawrence and Mahesh Gawli to have been recommended by the All India Football Federation for the prestigious Arjuna Awards.
Injury has robbed India of seven key players for Wednesday's AFC Asian Cup qualifier Group A tie against Yemen.
Chhetri still takes advice from former captain Bhutia who has a huge influence on him.
Chhetri's first professional contract was with Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan at a tender age of 17. It was a big challenge to overcome for a teenager and he buckled under pressure at times.
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