Football

The Indian men's football team's winless streak extended to four matches as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Malaysia in an international friendly on Monday. The match, played at the Balayogi Stadium, marked the debut of Chennaiyin FC's Irfan Yedwad for India.Despite dominating possession in the early stages, India conceded the first goal in the 19th minute due to a howler from goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Paulo Josue capitalized on Sandhu's error to put Malaysia ahead. However, India equalized in the 39th minute through a header from Rahul Bheke, assisted by Brandon Fernandes.The second half saw India continue to press for the winning goal, but the Malaysian defense held firm. Both teams had chances to snatch the victory, but neither could find the decisive touch.The draw extended head coach Manolo Marquez's wait for his first victory with the Blue Tigers. India has now drawn three and lost one of their four matches under Marquez.Despite the disappointing result, Marquez gave opportunities to several players who have been performing well for their clubs this season. The match also marked the return of central defender Sandesh Jhingan after almost 10 months.

India, still seeking their first victory of the year under head coach Manolo Marquez, will face familiar rivals Malaysia in an international friendly football match in Hyderabad on Monday. The match holds significance as it could be India's last before the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers in March next year.India will be bolstered by the return of experienced central defender Sandesh Jhingan, who has recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The team has played 10 matches so far in 2023, losing six and drawing four. Under Marquez, who took over in July, they have played three games, losing one and drawing twice.The India-Malaysia football rivalry dates back to 1957, with the two sides having faced each other 32 times. India and Malaysia have won 12 matches each, while eight have ended in draws. The current FIFA rankings show little difference between the two teams, with India placed 125th and Malaysia 133rd.Malaysia are coming into the match on the back of a 3-1 friendly win over Laos on November 14. Both teams know each other well, with India having nine players from the Merdeka tournament semifinal clash last month in their current squad. Malaysia, on the other hand, have 14 members from last year's squad, including two goal-scorers.Like India, Malaysia have also undergone changes in the coaching staff since last year. Manolo and his counterpart Pau Martí, both from Spain, know each other from their time in Barcelona. Martí took charge in July after Malaysia failed to qualify for Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers."They (Malaysia) have been playing good football and it will be a tough game for both sides," said Manolo.

The Indian men's football team, under the guidance of head coach Manolo Marquez, will face Malaysia in an international friendly on November 18 in Hyderabad. The match, initially scheduled for November 19, has been advanced by a day and will be played at the Gachibowli Stadium.This will be Marquez's fourth match in charge of the national team, and he will be eager to secure a victory against a lower-ranked opponent. Malaysia currently sits at 133rd in the FIFA rankings, while India occupies the 125th spot.The last encounter between the two teams took place in October 2023 in the Merdeka Cup semifinal, where India suffered a 2-4 defeat.The November 18 match falls within the last FIFA international match window of the year, which mandates clubs to release players for national duty.The Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad recently hosted the three-team Intercontinental Cup tournament, where India drew 0-0 with Mauritius and lost 0-3 to eventual champions Syria. The team then traveled to Vietnam for an international friendly, which ended in a 1-1 draw.Marquez will be looking to improve India's recent form, having failed to secure a win in his first three matches in charge. The match against Malaysia will provide an opportunity for the team to gain momentum and build confidence ahead of future challenges.