Marquez sees hope on the finish of a dismal 12 months for Indian nationwide staff

On its knees: The Indian staff did not win a recreation in 2024.
| Picture Credit score: Nagara Gopal

A pleasant header by Rahul Bheke off a properly set nook from Brandon Fernandes fetched the equaliser that helped India maintain the visiting Malaysia to a 1-1 draw and make sure that the senior males’s Nationwide soccer staff didn’t undergo one other loss.

With six losses and 5 attracts to its credit score, India completed the 12 months and not using a win.

What began as a season of promise for it turned bleak by the top of the 12 months. With its FIFA rating at a creditable 99 on the finish of 2023, India dropped to 125 forward of its assembly towards Malaysia.

Beginning in January, India misplaced all of the Asian Cup primary draw matches after which did not qualify for the third spherical of 2026 World Cup qualifiers. This drastic fall noticed the exit of the Croatian World Cupper Igor Stimac and the arrival of Spain’s Manolo Marquez as his substitute.

The draw towards Malaysia was the fourth recreation beneath Marquez, the place the Indian coach managed three attracts and a loss. This winless report got here to hang-out the nationwide facet precisely after a decade. It final occurred in 2014 when India simply performed two matches with none success. 

“We’re disillusioned that we couldn’t win in the previous couple of matches however I’m hopeful that we’ll win the second when we have to win,” Marquez stated after the Malaysia match.

The Spanish gaffer was referring to the Nationwide staff’s subsequent large goal, which is qualifying to the 2027 Asian Cup.

“We have now 4 months for the qualifiers. I do know it has been some time for the reason that nationwide staff received a recreation however I’m fully certain that the staff will qualify for the Asian Cup in 2027,” Marquez stated.

Having tried numerous mixtures in a bid to search out the correct stability within the squad, Marquez stated the staff is progressively adapting to the type he desires to play.

“In my view, there’s enchancment. The staff is starting to grasp the sort of soccer we wish to play,” Marquez stated whereas waiting for the Asian Cup qualifiers scheduled to begin within the closing week of March 2025.