Dubai: One day before reaching Dushanbe, Blue Tigers' coach Igor Stimac voiced that winning against Afghanistan is "the only thing" the team is focusing on right now after they wrapped up the solitary training session here at the Dubai Sports City this morning.
"We have a steep task in Dushanbe and we have to overcome that. We can't afford to slip at any cost. Winning against Afghanistan is the only thing that is going on in our mind now. It will not come to us, rather we need to go and snatch it. It's always about us and our performance to achieve something," Stimac stated.
The Croatian coach further praised the facility in Dubai where the team stressed on maintaining "the shape" in today's session followed by routine warm-up regimes.
"The facility has been fantastic and we had another productive session on turf before reaching Dushanbe. We have mainly worked on the shape which will be of utmost importance against Afghanistan," coach Igor Stimac expressed following the training session in the gulf city.
Prior to that, the boys took part in short passing sessions while strength and conditioning coach Luka Radman worked on a few players' muscle recovery.
"Boys are looking focused and that's most important before hitting the ground. We have taken good care of ourselves and Professor (Luka Radman) is working on the players' recovery," the 52-year-old coach maintained.
Meanwhile, 'Captain Marvel' Sunil Chhetri felt "converting chances" is an area where the team needs to work more as well as be a tougher unit while defending.
"We are creating chances. But that's not enough. We have to try our best to convert them and try to be a tougher unit while defending. We have missed against Bangladesh and we need to pull up our socks against Afghanistan. At the end of the day, if we can do better on the pitch, we'll be happier," Chhetri mentioned. The Blue Tigers will travel to Dushanbe this evening.(UNI)