Panaji: India’s first match under new head coach Manolo Márquez ended in a goalless draw against Mauritius, showing signs of improvement but leaving fans hoping for more. The Blue Tigers managed a clean sheet, thanks to a strong defensive display, but the lack of goals was a concern in this Intercontinental Cup opener.
Márquez, the Spanish coach who recently took charge of the national team, acknowledged that progress won’t happen overnight. “I think our first game was a bit boring for the fans, but I can’t fault the players’ attitude. They gave 100 per cent,” he said. “We only had two training sessions, but that’s not an excuse. What’s important is that the players put in the effort, and we didn’t concede a goal.”
The coach praised the team for their commitment but stressed the need for improvement. “We had some good performances, and there are things to work on. It’s a good place to start,” Márquez added.
India’s next match will be against Syria on September 9, which could determine the outcome of the three-team competition. As the crucial tie approaches, Márquez is focused on finding the right combinations on the field. “Right now, it’s not about picking the best players; it’s about finding the right combinations in different areas and managing situations as a team,” he explained.
One area where Márquez feels confident is the centre-back position. He highlighted the strong performance of Rahul Bheke and Sana Singh against Mauritius and noted that other players like Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, and Mehtab Singh are waiting for their chance.
Bheke, who captained India for the first time, was one of the standout players. “It was a proud moment for me and my family,” said the 33-year-old defender. “I’m honoured to have been given that responsibility, and I want more of it. We’ve taken a positive first step under the new coach, but we need to work on converting our chances into goals.”
Echoing his coach, Bheke emphasized that the team needs to keep improving. “We’ve done a lot of things right, but we need to focus on scoring goals. The coach had a clear plan, and we tried hard to follow it. Now, we have to keep getting better in the next game,” he said.
Before India’s match against Syria on September 9, Syria will play Mauritius on September 6. Both matches will kick off at 7:30 pm IST, with live coverage on Jio Cinema and Sports 18 3.
