The Indian soccer group capped off a disappointing calendar 12 months with a 1-1 draw to lower-ranked Malaysia on the Gachibowli stadium in Hyderabad. With this outcome, they now have an undesirable report of ending the 12 months with no single win and among the many 11 matches this 12 months, they’ve performed the war-torn nation of Afghanistan twice and even minnows Mauritius.
Although the match towards Malaysia on Monday lacked tempo, new coach Manolo Marquez will take residence loads of positives. Other than a surprising howler by goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, which gave the guests their solely purpose, the Indian defence was fairly stable.
The defensive midfield duo of Apuia Ralte and Suresh Singh placed on a tireless shift. There have been additionally indicators that Marquez’s ways and methods have been lastly being put into motion by the outfield gamers with the likes of Brandon Fernandes and Lallianzuala Chhangte combining nicely 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 Staff (@IndianFootball) November 18, 2024
The seek for a striker to exchange the retired Sunil Chhetri remains to be very a lot on and Marquez handed that accountability to debutant Irfan Yadwad. The towering Chennaiyin striker confirmed that he could possibly be a part of the answer, working into areas, latching on to crosses and placing stress on the opponent’s defence. However as has been the story this 12 months, 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 they usually paid for it.
Then there’s the howler which gave Malaysia the lead that Gurpreet wouldn’t ever wish to watch the replay of. Within the nineteenth minute, a Malaysian defender cleared the ball in the direction of the Indian purpose. Gurpreet got here means off his line although there wasn’t any actual hazard. As a substitute of ready again and kicking or accumulating it, he determined to go ahead and head the ball however fully 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 perfectly executed nook. Brandon’s kick from the proper discovered Rahul Bheke in area, who calmly headed it into the online. Credit score should additionally go to India’s skipper of the evening Sandesh Jhingan. Returning to the nationwide group after nearly a 12 months following knee surgical procedure, Jhingan did nicely to carry two defenders, making area for Bheke to make his run.
It ends all sq. in Hyderabad.#INDMAS #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/mHfNxTNTgj
— Indian Soccer Staff (@IndianFootball) November 18, 2024
After the equaliser, India actually took the sport to their opponents. Brandon, Farukh Choudhary, and Irfan mixed nicely to create alternatives on the left, however the Malaysian central defence was stable too. Brandon and Chhangte whipped in quite a lot 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 12 months, they should discover a resolution to this drawback. With Indians not taking part in as strikers for his or her golf equipment, having a lone striker for the nationwide group 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 outcome, Marquez would have seen what his group is able to, particularly in defence. However he’ll additionally know that there’s loads of work that must be completed and the seek for a striker is simply the beginning of it.
