India fans can be the difference at Asian Cup, says coach Stimac / Photo: © AFP
-
Chip industry activists call for South Korea to recognise cancer cases
-
Indian central bank hikes rates for first time since 2023
-
Famine-scarred southern Madagascar braces for El Nino
-
US military on Okinawa face curfew, alcohol ban after murder case
-
How the EU regulates lobbyists
-
Fierce lobbying in EU over 'forever chemicals'
-
I.Coast refuge offers lifelong care for youngsters scorned as 'sorcerers'
-
Dodgers beat Braves and Padres avoid sweep in MLB playoffs
-
Indian central bank hikes rates for first time in more than 3 years
-
Mourning, war and elections as Israel marks October 7
-
Hotel Blacklist Launches New Accommodation Industry Risk Assessment Tool
-
Messi says Argentina retirement is 'saddest day of my career'
-
Bangladesh nuclear plant draws hope -- and worry
-
Oil rises and stocks fall as Hormuz worries flare
-
US beat Canada 1-0 to wrap up four-win international break
-
Pacific presses world for help 'surviving' climate change at pre-COP summit
-
Turkey, Australia's joint COP31 leadership raises doubts
-
Verstappen revival to be put to the test in steamy Singapore
-
For Turkish NGOs, COP31 offers rare space for action
-
US woman who survived botched execution is conscious, speaking: lawyers
-
Sleep, appetite, gene-editing experts contend for Nobel chemistry prize
-
Climate champion Australia digging more coal
-
Nobel Peace Prize haunted by the 'spectre' of Trump
-
Emotion, tears as Messi retires from Argentina national team
-
Africa launches own credit agency in bid for cheaper borrowing
-
Dodgers push Braves to the brink of MLB playoff exit
-
US, China, EU: three paths to regulating AI
-
Crisis-stricken Haiti postpones elections
-
Australia's High Court rules against coal mine in landmark climate case
-
N. Korea's Kim pledges 'invariable support' in Putin birthday letter
-
Australia touts new funds for Pacific infrastructure at Fiji 'pre-COP'
-
OGRD Alliance Advances PLPC Multi-Asset Platform Following APHELAR Milestone, Expanding Licensing and Strategic Capital Frameworks
-
Eva Marie Saint, Oscar winner of Hollywood classics, dies at 102
-
Emotion, tears as Messi prepares for Argentina farewell
-
Australia probes app used in cheap smart glasses over privacy fears
-
Kane eyes Ronaldo record after matching England cap mark
-
England needed to 'move on' from World Cup pain, says Tuchel
-
Spain fight back to beat Croatia, Kane adds to record for England
-
O'Neill to stay at Celtic after period of "reflection"
-
Merino double helps Spain beat Croatia, reach Nations League quarters
-
Kane marks 125th England cap with Wembley Nations League double
-
US stocks hit fresh records as oil stabilizes on rising supplies
-
Quebec's incoming separatist leader wants to block Crown from swearing-in
-
As Messi bows out, Argentines say 'thank you'
-
Emmys gala will now stream its premier television awards
-
Ronaldo opens door for Portugal return, apologises for walkout
-
Paramount completes Warner Bros takeover, creating Skydance
-
'Nobody seems to care': Russian city shrugs off plague reports
-
Trump blames France unrest on Islam, migration
-
Hundreds arrested in French school protests as Macron summons ministers
India fans can be the difference at Asian Cup, says coach Stimac
Igor Stimac says that India's massed ranks of vocal fans can be the difference when his underdogs face a tough Uzbekistan test at the Asian Cup in Qatar on Thursday.
There are an estimated 750,000 Indians living in Qatar, which has a population of nearly three million, and Indians fans roared on their team despite an opening 2-0 defeat to Australia.
There was a crowd of over 36,000 at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha for the game on Saturday, most of them Indian, and Stimac is anticipating an even bigger turnout against Uzbekistan.
"We are expecting a huge number, an even bigger number now in this match," the India coach, a former international defender for Croatia, said on Wednesday.
The game against Australia kicked off in the early afternoon but it will be a later start time of 5:30 pm (1430 GMT) against Uzbekistan.
Stimac, part of the Croatia side that reached the 1998 World Cup semi-finals, believes that will mean even more Indian fans coming out.
"It's a much better kickoff time, much more convenient for them to attend," said the 56-year-old.
"They might be the crucial point for us in this game, and once again, a huge, huge thanks to all of them."
Uzbekistan, ranked 68 in the world to India's 102, began their Asian Cup with a 0-0 draw against Syria.
J.Horn--BTB