India vs Malaysia: Can Manolo’s team end their winless run?

India, currently ranked 125th in the FIFA rankings, are eager to secure its first win under head coach Manolo Marquez.

Hyderabad: International football returns to Hyderabad as India take on Malaysia in a FIFA International friendly at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Gachibowli, on Monday. The match holds significant importance for both teams as they gear up for the Asian Cup qualifiers in March 2025.

India, currently ranked 125th in the FIFA rankings, are eager to secure its first win under head coach Manolo Marquez. The Spaniard has overseen two draws and one loss since taking charge, and the team’s recent form has been a cause for concern. Speaking ahead of the match, Manolo emphasised the need to break their winless streak.

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“This is a friendly game, but it’s an opportunity to assess our players and demonstrate the improvement we’ve been working on in training,” he said. “We want to end the winless run and show positive progress on the pitch.”

The Blue Tigers are enduring a slump, with their last victory dating back a year—a 1-0 win against Kuwait on November 16, 2023. Since then, the team has played 11 matches, losing seven and drawing four. Under Manolo, India drew 0-0 with Mauritius and lost 3-0 to Syria during the Intercontinental Cup in September, also held at Gachibowli.

Their most recent match, a 1-1 draw with Vietnam on October 12 in Nam Dinh, showcased glimpses of improvement, but a win has eluded them. A failure to secure a positive result on Monday would see India end the year winless, a scenario Manolo is determined to avoid. “Football is about attacking, defending, transitions, and set-pieces. We are focusing on improving every aspect and minimising mistakes, as it’s often the team with fewer errors that comes out on top,” Manolo added.

Malaysia, ranked 133rd, are also in transition under new head coach Pau Marti Vicente, who took charge in August. Marti, a former assistant coach at Barcelona B, brings a modern football philosophy to the team. Interestingly, both Marti and Marquez hail from Spain and share a mutual respect. “They’ve been playing good football under Pau. I know him personally, and I expect a tough contest for both teams,” Manolo noted.

The head-to-head record between the two sides is evenly poised, with 12 wins apiece and eight draws. However, Malaysia hold a psychological advantage, having defeated India 4-2 in their last encounter during the Merdeka tournament semifinal.

‘Jhinghan is irreplaceable’

India’s defence, meanwhile, received a significant boost with the return of veteran centre-back Sandesh Jhingan. The 31-year-old, sidelined earlier this year due to a knee injury sustained against Syria in the Asian Cup, is now fully fit and expected to lead the backline.

“Sandesh Jhingan is irreplaceable—not because he’s Messi, but because of his leadership and performance on and off the field. He brings character, and players feel more comfortable with him in the team. He’s a very important figure for us,” Manolo praised.