India’s struggles against lower-ranked FIFA teams continued in 2024 as they played out a 1-1 draw against Malaysia, ranked 133rd, at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium on Monday. The match, part of an international friendly, showcased a spirited comeback by the host nation, though it was unable to secure the win that would have marked a fresh start under new coach Manolo Marquez.
Malaysia drew first blood in the 19th minute, thanks to a goal from Paulo Josue. The Brazil-born player capitalized on a mistake by Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who misjudged a clearance. As the ball bounced over his head, Josue slotted it into an empty net, sending the Malaysian fans into raptures and the Indian crowd into stunned silence.
Despite the setback, India responded with resilience. Just 20 minutes later, Rahul Bheke equalized for the hosts with a header from Brandon Fernandes’ corner kick, sending the home crowd into a wave of relief. The match became more competitive as the Blue Tigers pushed forward, with debutant Irfan Yadwad showing promise alongside Farukh Choudhary, although neither could convert their chances into goals.
Marquez, determined to inject more energy into the attack, made several substitutions, bringing on Lallianzuala Chhangte, Farukh, and Yadwad in a bid to break the deadlock. However, Malaysia’s defense remained firm, and the match ended level. The visitors even came close to stealing the win late in injury time, with a header from substitute Fergus Tierney hitting the crossbar.
While Marquez expressed his disappointment with missed opportunities, Malaysia’s head coach, Pau Marti Vicente, reflected on a fair result, noting that his team had “missed a few chances” but was happy with the game overall.
India’s goalkeeper, Gurpreet, came under scrutiny after his mistake led to the opening goal. Marquez defended the veteran keeper, stating that Gurpreet had nothing to prove given his illustrious career, but acknowledged that mistakes by goalkeepers often result in goals for the opposition. The performance also fueled speculation about the future of Mohun Bagan’s Vishal Kaith, who had an impressive season in the Indian Super League and the Durand Cup.
The draw means India is still seeking its first win of the year, marking the first calendar year without a victory since 2006, despite playing multiple matches under two different coaches. On a positive note, Marquez has introduced several new players to the national team, including Jay Gupta, David Lalhlansanga, and Edmund Lalrindika, signaling potential for future growth.
Looking ahead, Marquez will have four months to fine-tune his squad, with India’s next match scheduled for March in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. As the team continues to build toward those qualifiers, the draw against Malaysia will be seen as both a step forward and a reminder of the challenges that still lie ahead for the Blue Tigers.
