Looking for to place the heartbreak within the World Cup Qualifiers behind, the Indian males’s soccer group will look to begin from scratch beneath new head coach Manolo Márquez when it faces Mauritius within the Intercontinental Cup opener right here on Tuesday. The Indian senior males’s group is coming to the Telangana capital for the primary time in 16 years as the town performs host to Mauritius and Syria from September 3 to 9.
The coach has termed the match a gown rehearsal for larger duties forward — AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.
Marquez felt that he’ll be capable of higher choose the standard of his squad when the season is up and working.
“The primary goal of taking part in these video games in September, October and November is to arrange for the extra necessary factor – the Asian Cup qualifiers, the primary recreation of which is in March,” the Spaniard mentioned.
“The primary FIFA window now’s a bit tough as a result of we’re nonetheless in pre-season. Some golf equipment performed with their reserve group within the Durand Cup. We do not precisely know the bodily scenario of all of the gamers. That will not occur within the subsequent FIFA home windows as a result of the ISL will likely be ongoing. However once more, I believe this isn’t an excuse. We’re prepared for tomorrow.” The matches will likely be performed on the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium.
The group’s long-term goal is qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, which is ready to start in March subsequent yr.
Marquez has confused on the significance of acquiring good ends in the upcoming three FIFA worldwide match home windows in order to maintain India’s place in Pot 1 forward of December’s draw.
Nevertheless, time is of the essence for the Spaniard, who had simply two coaching periods forward of the match opener.
He named his 26-member squad final month, comprising some new faces and a few returning ones too, as India put together for all times after Sunil Chhetri’s retirement.
Chinglensana Singh Konsham and Yasir Mohammad are again for the primary time since final yr’s Tri-Nation Collection triumph.
Defenders Asish Rai and Roshan Singh Naorem return after nearly an year-long hiatus, whereas Kiyan Nassiri Giri, Lalthathanga Khawlhring and Prabhsukhan Singh Gill will likely be eyeing their senior India debut.
Marquez will hope for a memorable begin to his nationwide group profession with silverware within the metropolis the place he started his journey in Indian soccer.
Except for the 2019 version when North Korea lifted the trophy, India triumphed within the inaugural match in 2018 (beating Kenya 2-0 in Mumbai) and final yr in Bhubaneswar (beating Lebanon 2-0).
Their opponents Syria and Mauritius aren’t any strangers to Indian soil. Syria final travelled to India for the 2019 Intercontinental Cup, ending in third place. Additionally they took half within the final three editions of the Nehru Cup in 2007, 2009 and 2012, ending runners-up to India within the first two.
Mauritius journeyed to India for the 2017 Tri-Nation Collection, the place they misplaced 1-2 to the hosts and drew 1-1 with Saint Kitts and Nevis to finish up in final place.
“We face two completely different groups and the rankings should not essential. We wish to be in Pot 1. That will give us a bonus,” mentioned Márquez.
“We should play aggressive video games to enhance. All of us have to work collectively in the identical route to seek out the proper group of gamers and their predisposition will likely be superb, one thing I’m utterly positive about.” Ranked 179th on this planet, Mauritius are at present positioned fifth of their six-team FIFA World Cup Qualifiers group in Africa, with 4 factors in as many matches. It contains a few spectacular outcomes like a 2-1 house win over higher-ranked Eswatini in June and a 0-0 draw versus Ninetieth-ranked Angola final November.
Nevertheless, they crashed out within the first spherical of the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers following a 1-3 mixture loss to Chad in March.
Les Dodos, as they’re nicknamed, are led by French coach Guillaume Moullec, who took cost in Could this yr.
A few of their key gamers embody captain and veteran goalkeeper Kevin Jean-Louis, six-foot-seven defender Dylan Collard, who performs for Lusitania FC within the Portuguese third tier and former French youth worldwide Lindsay Rose, who plies his commerce at Greek high division aspect Aris FC.
Match kicks off at 7.30 pm.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
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