Solely three video games into his stint as the top coach of the Indian workforce, Manolo Marquez received the few issues which might be in his management proper within the nationwide workforce’s pleasant towards Vietnam. The backbone of the Indian XI was constructed on the backs of defender Anwar Ali and central midfielders Apuia Ralte and Brandon Fernandes.
Marquez received a couple of eyebrow-catching performances as nicely, chief of which was Farukh Chaudhary, a well-known identify in Indian soccer, who performed, and scored as a striker. The Spaniard was additionally reminded of a few of the workforce’s ever-lasting reliance on Gurpreet Singh Sandhu bailing them out of robust spots as nicely.
On Saturday, the nationwide workforce performed considered one of its higher video games during the last yr – a yr the place they had been kicked out of the AFC Asian Cup from the group stage with out scoring a aim, after which missed out on reaching the third spherical of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers after a humiliating 1-2 loss to Afghanistan at residence.
Higher doesn’t essentially imply good although, as Vietnam, a workforce on the decline, nonetheless managed to outclass the Indians, who scored a aim within the second half to salvage a 1-1 draw. The final time each these groups had confronted one another, the Indians had been thrashed 3-0.
India had been earlier imagined to play towards each Lebanon and Vietnam however then the Central Asian nation pulled out of the pleasant event with Fifa rating factors on provide.
Sluggish begin
As has been the case with the workforce not too long ago, a sluggish begin is sort of a given at this level. It took all of ten minutes for Vietnam to get their first penalty of the match – a pointless barge by central defender Rahul Bheke within the penalty field. However Vietnam’s captain Hai Ngoc Que slapped a low and sluggish shot that wasn’t anyplace close to a nook and it was a straightforward save for goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to make and India graciously took the let-off.
They then had an early likelihood at aim as nicely. Farukh Chaudhary was chosen to guide the attacking line and the Chennayin FC participant immediately created an opportunity out of nothing. Together with his again to aim and a defender on him, Chaudhary rotated, nutmegged his defender after which hit a rasping left-footed drive goalwards. The shot was saved.
Chaudhary had one other hit on course later within the half when Brandon Fernandes discovered him with a intelligent, angled cross into aim, contained in the field itself. Farukh’s shot was as soon as once more robust and on course – aimed on the keeper’s proper backside nook however was saved once more.
Vietnam’s first aim got here within the thirty seventh minute. Normally when defending a ball flying into the field, the Indian workforce have been responsible of a scarcity of organisation and taking positions too deep.
It allowed Hao Vi Bui the prospect to take a shot from proper outdoors the field. Indian defender Anwar Ali received a foot to the ball but it surely led to a deflection that rolled into the online regardless of Sandhu making an attempt his greatest to push the ball away.
Vietnam had conceded a aim of their final eleven video games, a poor file solely matched by India’s incapacity to search out an open-play aim (Just one since final November). Somebody needed to blink first on this contest of inferiority and luckily for India, the house workforce made an error. A Suresh Wangjam cross from inside the Indian half sailed over the Vietnamese defensive position and captain Que, who had already missed a penalty within the first half, discovered himself in a tough place of both holding onto Chaudhary or, enjoying the ball. In the long run, he couldn’t do both and the Indian striker lobbed the ball over Vietnam custodian Filip Nguyen.
Higher in second half
Marquez’s workforce was higher within the second half, protecting management of the ball for sure durations and even managing to open up the Vietnamese defence every so often. However the remaining couple of minutes of the match noticed the house workforce push forward and attempt to take the win. Sandhu was referred to as into motion on a number of events, and the Bengaluru FC custodian did a ok job to earn India a beneficial draw towards a mid-tier Asian nation.
The nationwide workforce will subsequent face Malaysia for a pleasant within the subsequent Fifa worldwide window. These friendlies won’t have a whole lot of relevance however Marquez has made it clear that these home windows are essential, particularly with the AFC Asian Cup qualification ranging from early subsequent yr.
