The India football team are set to play their first international game in over a year due to the Coronavirus-caused break and they will be without their talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri, 36, who tested positive for the virus recently. Head coach Igor Stimac called the striker’s absence unfortunate but urged the team to step up.
 
The Blue Tigers are currently in Dubai, where they will play friendlies against Oman (March 25) and UAE (March 29).
 
Stimac, 53, who finished third with Croatia in the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, heaped praise on Chhetri, who has 72 goals in 115 appearances for the national side, and said his presence is important for the team.
 
“It’s unfortunate that Sunil [Chhetri] is not with us. He will be missed. His presence is very important for the team. He is a great motivator and has a huge influence on the youngsters. We hope that he comes back to us even more motivated for upcoming matches,” Stimac said during a live chat on All India Football Federation’s Instagram handle on Thursday.

India football team coach Igor Stimac