Football

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.

Age Fraud in Youth Football: A Damaging PracticeAge fraud, the practice of fielding overage players in youth competitions, has been a persistent issue in football, damaging the confidence and development of young players. FC Goa defender Sandesh Jhingan, a victim of this practice, has spoken out against its detrimental effects.Jhingan recalled his experiences playing against older opponents during his youth, highlighting the significant physical and mental advantages they possessed. "I have many times felt that I was not good enough, because that boy was stronger, faster, and more mature than me," he said. "At that age, even a difference of two years makes a massive difference."The negative impact of age fraud extends beyond individual players. It creates an unfair playing field, discouraging talented youth from pursuing the sport. Jhingan emphasized the need to eradicate this practice, stating, "It needs to stop big time. I am really happy that all the clubs and the Reliance Foundation are coming together to solve this problem."The Stay Your Age U-15 football tournament, held in Navi Mumbai, aimed to address the issue of age fraud. Players from six teams underwent rigorous document verification to ensure fair competition. The tournament provided a platform for young players to showcase their skills without the burden of competing against overage opponents.Jhingan's advocacy against age fraud highlights the importance of protecting the integrity of youth football. By ensuring that players compete in their appropriate age groups, we can foster a fair and equitable environment that nurtures the development of young talent.

Indian football is set to witness a new era under head coach Manolo Marquez, as he has named his 26-member provisional squad for the upcoming Intercontinental Cup. The tournament, scheduled from September 3-9 in Hyderabad, will serve as a preparatory camp for the FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary joint qualification round 2 matches.Among the notable inclusions is Chennaiyin FC forward Kiyan Nassiri, son of East Bengal legend Jamshid Nassiri. The 23-year-old has been in impressive form for his club and is now on the cusp of his maiden India call-up.Also receiving their first call-ups are Mohun Bagan SG right-back Ashish Rai and East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill. Both players have yet to feature for the senior India team but have shown promise at the club level.However, the squad is missing a key figure in Sandesh Jhingan. The influential centre-back is still recovering from a right knee injury sustained during India's Asian Cup group match against Syria in January. Jhingan also missed out on selection for the team's camp ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary joint qualification round 2 matches against Kuwait and Qatar in May.The Intercontinental Cup will feature three teams: India, Syria, and Mauritius. India will face Mauritius on September 3 and Syria on September 9. Syria, ranked 93rd in the latest FIFA rankings, will be a formidable opponent, while Mauritius, ranked 179th, will provide a different challenge.Marquez, who was appointed India head coach last month, is excited about his first assignment. "We are very excited about our first preparatory camp and I know it will be the same for the players," he said. "We face two different teams and the rankings are not very important. We need to work all together in the same direction to find the correct group of players and their predisposition will be very good, something I am completely sure about."The Intercontinental Cup will be the first full tournament for India after the retirement of legendary captain Sunil Chhetri. It will also be a chance for Marquez to assess his squad and prepare for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.