FIFA Worldwide Pleasant: India holds Malaysia 1-1; coach Marquez’s seek for first win continues

Gamers in motion through the FIFA Worldwide Pleasant match between India and Malaysia at GMC Balayogi Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad on Monday, November 18, 2024.
| Photograph Credit score: Nagara Gopal

Indian erased a aim deficit to carry Malaysia 1-1 within the FIFA Worldwide Pleasant match on the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad on Monday (November 18, 2024). Malaysia went forward within the nineteenth minute by way of Paulo Josue earlier than Rahul Bheke nodded dwelling the equalizer from a nook within the thirty ninth minute.

India suffered initially within the first half owing to a Gurpreet Singh Sandhu howler that put the host on the again foot early. It was unlikely of the nation’s first-choice goalkeeper to make the amateurish mistake as he charged out of the field attempting to achieve an extended ball however fully misjudged the flight to see the ball bouncing forward of him and reaching the Malaysian ahead Paulo Josue, who acquired the present effectively and positioned it into an open web.

Seeking to assert itself because the host, India saved a excessive line however didn’t make efficient penetrations within the Malaysia field. Head coach Manolo Marquez benched his regulars like Manvir Singh or Liston Colaco and most well-liked to attempt the brand new mixture of Farukh Chaudhary and Irfan Yadwad, who made his nationwide workforce debut, within the assault. The 2 confirmed enough power upfront however failed to seek out the best contact that may convert the Indian assaults into objectives. The seek for a high quality striker who might exchange Sunil Chhetri within the Indian assault thus continued for Marquez.

India discovered the equalizer by way of a set-piece scenario minutes earlier than the break minute when Rahul Bheke, transferring up from his place as the best again, nodded dwelling a properly swerved nook from Brandon Fernandez. This got here as an enormous aid for the host, which saved struggling to seek out the best openings from open play. The return of seasoned centre-back Sandesh Jhingan from a protracted damage layoff gave stability to the Indian efficiency, which confirmed quite a lot of enchancment in comparison with its earlier three outings. India survived some late onslaughts from Malaysia and was fortunate to not concede a late aim because the Malaysian substitute noticed his injury-time header coming off the upright. Marquez exhausted his quota of substitutes within the final 20 minutes of motion, however that got here to no avail as India continued to stay winless within the yr.

Consequence

India 1 (Rahul Bheke 39) drew with Malaysia 1 (Paulo Josue 19).