The Indian soccer crew capped off a disappointing calendar yr with a 1-1 draw to lower-ranked Malaysia on the Gachibowli stadium in Hyderabad. With this consequence, they now have an undesirable report of ending the yr with no single win and among the many 11 matches this yr, they’ve performed the war-torn nation of Afghanistan twice and even minnows Mauritius.
Although the match in opposition to Malaysia on Monday lacked tempo, new coach Manolo Marquez will take dwelling loads of positives. Aside from a surprising howler by goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, which gave the guests their solely objective, the Indian defence was fairly strong.
The defensive midfield duo of Apuia Ralte and Suresh Singh placed on a tireless shift. There have been additionally indicators that Marquez’s techniques and techniques have been lastly being put into motion by the outfield gamers with the likes of Brandon Fernandes and Lallianzuala Chhangte combining effectively with the forwards.
.@RahulBheke‘s fiery header helps India 🇮🇳 draw 1-1 with Malaysia 🇲🇾
Report 🔗 https://t.co/LcOUnYdT90#INDMAS #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/kytBbyuW46
— Indian Soccer Workforce (@IndianFootball) November 18, 2024
The seek for a striker to switch the retired Sunil Chhetri continues to be very a lot on and Marquez handed that accountability to debutant Irfan Yadwad. The towering Chennaiyin striker confirmed that he may very well be a part of the answer, operating into areas, latching on to crosses and placing stress on the opponent’s defence. However as has been the story this yr, India merely struggled to search out the eccentricity that’s typically wanted to win in worldwide soccer. Regardless of myriad crosses into the field, holding play and counters down the flanks, there was nothing medical and so they paid for it.
Then there’s the howler which gave Malaysia the lead that Gurpreet wouldn’t ever need to watch the replay of. Within the nineteenth minute, a Malaysian defender cleared the ball in the direction of the Indian objective. Gurpreet got here means off his line although there wasn’t any actual hazard. As an alternative of ready again and kicking or amassing it, he determined to go ahead and head the ball however utterly misjudged the bounce. It went over his head, handing Malaysian ahead Paulo Josue a freebie. He simply managed the ball with a contact and tapped it into the empty web together with his left foot.
Whereas India stored knocking on the door, they managed to get their equaliser 20 minutes later because of a wonderfully executed nook. Brandon’s kick from the proper discovered Rahul Bheke in house, who calmly headed it into the web. Credit score should additionally go to India’s skipper of the night time Sandesh Jhingan. Returning to the nationwide crew after nearly a yr following knee surgical procedure, Jhingan did effectively to carry two defenders, making house for Bheke to make his run.
It ends all sq. in Hyderabad.#INDMAS #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/mHfNxTNTgj
— Indian Soccer Workforce (@IndianFootball) November 18, 2024
After the equaliser, India actually took the sport to their opponents. Brandon, Farukh Choudhary, and Irfan mixed effectively to create alternatives on the left, however the Malaysian central defence was strong too. Brandon and Chhangte whipped in a wide range of crosses, however by no means actually obtained the proper ball in. It was additionally the case of Irfan being the one goal man up entrance.
As India gear up for the Asian Cup qualifiers in March subsequent yr, they must discover a resolution to this downside. With Indians not enjoying as strikers for his or her golf equipment, having a lone striker for the nationwide crew can get too demanding for the participant. A lot of the crosses that got here in needed to be completely positioned for Irfan, and if it wasn’t— as was the case on Monday — it simply ended up falling in no man’s land.
Regardless of the drawn consequence, Marquez would have seen what his crew is able to, particularly in defence. However he’ll additionally know that there’s loads of work that must be accomplished and the seek for a striker is simply the beginning of it.