Igor Stimac pushes team for doing better: Ashique Kuruniyan

Ahead of India's AFC Asian Cup clash against champions Qatar, midfielder Ashique Kuruniyan expressed how Croatian head coach Igor Stimac is pushing the team to do better.

"The head coach (Igor Stimac) is really pushing us a lot and motivating us to keep improving. He has instilled great belief in the team and has told us that we have to play without fear. No opponent is unbeatable and we will carry the same confidence with us against Qatar," Kuruniyan said.

"Qatar are the champions of Asia for a reason but we will do everything we can to push them and stick to our plans. Having spent a day travelling, we had a great first session in Doha yesterday to gear up for the game," he added.

India faced a tough 2-1 defeat against Oman in their first game of the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers, despite taking an early lead on the night.

The Blue Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the first half but in the last ten minutes, Alawi Al Mandhar scored a brace to hand Oman the win.

After recovering from an injury, the 22-year-old played his first game vs Oman. 

"Against Oman, there was only one thing on my mind -- I have to play like it is the last game of my life. After the injury, I never thought I will get my chance to come back so early and so, I was motivated to leave everything out on the pitch," said Kuruniyan.

India will take on Qatar in their second match of the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers on September 10, at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.