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Coach Igor Stimac picked Indian football team on astrologer's advice; reports

Indian football team coach Igor Stimac picked the national squad on an astrologer's advice for the match against Afghanistan in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. The match was played on 11th June 2022 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

Indian football team coach Igor Stimac picked the national squad for the match against Afghanistan in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. The match was played on 11th June 2022 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
File: Sunil Chhetri, Igor Stimac
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By IANS

Published : Sep 12, 2023, 10:33 AM IST

Updated : Sep 12, 2023, 10:39 AM IST

New Delhi: Indian football team coach Igor Stimac picked the national squad for the crucial Asian Cup match against Afghanistan in June 2022 on the advice of an astrologer from Delhi-NCR, according to a report.

Interestingly, it is also said that the astrologer was introduced to Stimac by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). According to the Indian Express report, the then secretary-general of AIFF, Kushal Das has admitted that he introduced the two to each other in May 2022.

“Stimac had sent a list with the names of a probable 11 for the game, which was a must-win to remain in contention for the championship. The match was to take place on June 11, and the list was shared on June 9.

Also read: SAFF U-16 Championship: India beat Nepal to seal the semifinal spot

“The astrologer replied against each player's name with remarks like "Good", and "can do very well. Needs to avoid overconfidence", " a below-average day", "a very good day for him but might get over aggressive" and "not recommended for the day", it said.

India played four matches during May and June 2022. These were against Jordan, Cambodia, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. The report further said that Stimac shared the list of players with the astrologer before every match. He also shared injury updates and substitution strategies. (IANS)

Also read: ISL has helped Indian football team take giant leap, says Rohit Sharma

New Delhi: Indian football team coach Igor Stimac picked the national squad for the crucial Asian Cup match against Afghanistan in June 2022 on the advice of an astrologer from Delhi-NCR, according to a report.

Interestingly, it is also said that the astrologer was introduced to Stimac by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). According to the Indian Express report, the then secretary-general of AIFF, Kushal Das has admitted that he introduced the two to each other in May 2022.

“Stimac had sent a list with the names of a probable 11 for the game, which was a must-win to remain in contention for the championship. The match was to take place on June 11, and the list was shared on June 9.

Also read: SAFF U-16 Championship: India beat Nepal to seal the semifinal spot

“The astrologer replied against each player's name with remarks like "Good", and "can do very well. Needs to avoid overconfidence", " a below-average day", "a very good day for him but might get over aggressive" and "not recommended for the day", it said.

India played four matches during May and June 2022. These were against Jordan, Cambodia, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. The report further said that Stimac shared the list of players with the astrologer before every match. He also shared injury updates and substitution strategies. (IANS)

Also read: ISL has helped Indian football team take giant leap, says Rohit Sharma

Last Updated : Sep 12, 2023, 10:39 AM IST
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