India ended the year without a win after holding Malaysia to a 1-1 stalemate in Hyderabad – Firstpost

Malaysia had seized the lead within 20 minutes when Paulo Josue pounced on a loose ball following a terrible misjudgment by goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. However, Rahul Bheke would bring the Indians back on level terms with a header in the 39th minute from a corner.

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Manolo Marquez’s wait for a first win as India’s head coach was awarded extra time on Monday after the Blue Tigers were held to a 1-1 draw by Malaysia in Hyderabad. With the entertaining draw at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium in Gachibowli, India ended the year without a single win as the match against the visiting Malaysians was their last of 2024.

As it happened |
India and Malaysia will play an entertaining draw in Hyderabad

The ‘Harimau Malaya’ had seized the lead within twenty minutes when Paulo Josue pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area following a terrible misjudgment by Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. However, defender Rahul Bheke would bring the Indians back on level terms with a header in the 39th minute from a corner.

Both teams canceled out several opponent attacks in the second half as the match moved towards a draw. However, debutant Fergus Tierney almost scored the winner for the Malaysians three minutes into stoppage time, with his header deflecting from a corner from the left while Sandhu was just a spectator.

The match witnessed the return of Sandesh Jhingan, who wore the captain’s armband in his first appearance after a 10-month battle with Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. India also debuted Irfan Yadwad and Hmingthanmawia Ralte aka Valpuia, with the former part of the starting XI.

Monday’s draw was the ninth between India and Malaysia, with both teams winning 12 matches each in 33 head-to-head encounters. India also ended the year with five draws and six defeats, including three in a row in the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar in January.

Marquez, who also serves as coach of FC Goa in the Indian Super League and coaches the national team during the international break, has now guided the Blue Tigers to three draws in four games since replacing Igor Stimac as coach in July.

India’s only defeat in the Marquez era came against Syria in September, losing 0-3 at the same venue where they stalemated Malaysia in their last outing.