Indian football head coach Manolo Marquez has admitted that the Blue Tigers are in urgent need of improvement, acknowledging that his side’s performance needs to be elevated across all aspects of the game. India, under Marquez’s guidance since July, has yet to secure a win in three matches—drawing twice and suffering a heavy 0-3 defeat to Syria in the Intercontinental Cup in September.
As the Indian team prepares to face Malaysia in a friendly match on Monday, Marquez emphasized the need for better attack, defense, transitions, and set-pieces. “We need to improve in everything,” he said during the pre-match press conference. Despite the optimism surrounding some individual performances, such as a strong second-half display against Vietnam, Marquez pointed out the team’s persistent mistakes that almost cost them the game. “The team with fewer mistakes usually wins,” he added, highlighting the need for greater consistency.
India’s upcoming match against Malaysia is more than just a friendly. It marks the final game for the Blue Tigers in 2024, and with no wins in their last 10 matches, the pressure to end the year on a positive note is mounting. A loss or draw would mean India will have gone a full calendar year without a victory, a statistic that could weigh heavily on the team as they prepare for the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers in March 2025.
A Riveting Rivalry Awaits
The India-Malaysia football rivalry stretches back decades, with the two teams having faced each other 32 times since their first encounter in 1957. The record is closely matched, with both nations securing 12 victories apiece and 8 draws. With both sides sitting near each other in the FIFA rankings—India at 125th and Malaysia at 133rd—this friendly is expected to be a closely contested affair.
Marquez, who is familiar with Malaysia’s tactical approach, said, “They play good football, and it will be a tough game for both teams.” Malaysia’s head coach, Pau Martí, who hails from Barcelona like Marquez, also praised his counterpart, noting that the two share a long history of professional admiration. Martí has been in charge of the Harimau Malaya since July and has already led them to victory in the Merdeka tournament in September. However, he too faces the challenge of improving his team’s away form, having been defeated 0-4 by New Zealand in an international friendly last month.
Despite the friendly nature of the match, both coaches are keen on using this game as a barometer to test their teams’ preparedness for the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers. “This is a good opportunity for us to measure ourselves against a Pot 2 team like Malaysia,” said Marquez.
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Key Absence and Player Focus
One notable absence for India in this match will be central defender Sandesh Jhingan, who is still recovering from a long-term injury. Marquez admitted that Jhingan is “the most difficult Indian player to replace” due to his leadership, experience, and solid defensive abilities. The coach highlighted Jhingan’s importance not just as a player but as a character in the dressing room, drawing comparisons to the influence of world-class defenders like Lionel Messi on the field.
Forward Edmund Lalrindika, who joined Marquez at the press conference, spoke highly of the coach’s approach and preparation. “This is our third camp with coach Manolo. The preparations have been good. Everyone is comfortable with him. We know what he wants from us,” said Lalrindika, expressing confidence ahead of the Malaysia game.
Looking Ahead: A Pivotal Year for Indian Football
While the immediate goal is to secure a win against Malaysia, the broader focus for India will be on the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers, which begin in March. India will be placed in Pot 1 for the draw, with Malaysia in Pot 2, regardless of the outcome of Monday’s match. The Blue Tigers will be hoping that the lessons learned from their recent performances will help them make a strong showing in the qualifiers, as they look to qualify for the prestigious continental tournament.
For now, Marquez’s main focus remains on getting the basics right and reducing costly mistakes. “We will try to play a good game with fewer mistakes than Malaysia,” he concluded, signaling the urgency with which he plans to address India’s shortcomings ahead of more high-stakes encounters.
As the match looms, fans will be hoping for a much-needed victory to close out the year and provide a morale boost for the road ahead.