India head coach Igor Stimac said he would not consider the upcoming Asian Cup in Doha as an important tournament as the team is competing in the continental showpiece without a proper national camp, comments which may ruffle the feathers of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). 

Stimac wanted at least four weeks of national camp ahead of the continent's premier competition which begins on 12th January. 

But with the first phase of the Indian Super League (ISL) continuing till 29th December, the clubs are unlikely to release their players for a long training camp.

India face formidable Australia on 13th January and Stimac is unlikely to get more than 10 days of training with all his national team players together. Uzbekistan and Syria are the other two teams in India's group.

In a media conference on Tuesday after senior national team’s drubbing of 0-3 at the hands of Qatar, the chief national coach explained, “We did not get what we wanted. I was very clear, you give me time and I might provide results for you. Without the time, do not ask about the results or anything like that. Just forget it.”

He added, “We are going to do everything but there is no time for us to work, 12-13 days are not at all the sufficient time for the preparation.”

The top two teams from each of the six groups as well as the four best third-place sides will advance into the round of 16.

Stimac mentioned that most of the countries will be coming for the Asian Cup well-prepared with long camps.

"We are going to face Uzbekistan who will be preparing for six weeks. I don't consider Australia as a team which we can (beat), they are better than Qatar. They are out of our league. But we are going to try everything and do everything."

As the national team is not getting enough time for Asian Cup preparation, Stimac said the continental showpiece is no longer a very important tournament for him.

"For us the most important thing is the World Cup qualifier. Knowing that we are not going to get enough time for the Asian Cup, I don't consider the Asian Cup as such an important tournament for us," said Stimac.