 "India's 3-0 defeat to Syria has left many questions for coach Manolo Marquez. Image: AIFF
Photos : Baranidharan M / AIFF")
Whatever excitement Manolo Marquez’s appointment as the new Indian men’s football coach generated was soon nipped in the bud by the Blue Tigers’ performance in the Intercontinental Cup 2024, which ended on Monday in Hyderabad with the home team suffering an embarrassing defeat against Syria. Eight months ago, despite a lacklustre performance by India, the Syrians could only manage a 1-0 win in the AFC Asian Cup 2023. On Monday, they thrashed the Indian men’s football team 3-0 in a performance that left many heartbroken and alarmed about what the future holds for the Blue Tigers.
It was only the second game for the Indian men’s football team under Manolo Marquez, so we should cut him some slack, but how much remains in question. India made seven changes to their line-up, while Syria rotated all 11 players. Despite the changes, the 124th-ranked Indian team had all their key players on the pitch, hoping to produce something special against 93rd-ranked Syria after a spiritless goalless draw against Mauritius, who are ranked 55 spots below India in the FIFA rankings.
‘Scared’ Blue Tigers
The truth, however, is that India, despite playing at home, were not prepared for an opponent like Syria. Mentally, the battle was lost before it began. Although Syria scored only one goal in the first half, it came as early as in the seventh minute when Mahmoud Al-Aswad found the net on a counterattack, despite nine Indian players being in the box.
The first half was littered with chances for Syria, and it wasn’t until injury time that India began to show signs of a fight, managing two shots on target — though we’re being generous in calling Nikhil Poojary’s effort an attempt.
Between the first goal and the injury time in the first half, it was all Syria, as they dictated the play, with most of the Indian players hiding behind the ball, rather than fighting for it.
This fact was well acknowledged by coach Marquez who didn’t hesitate in calling his team “scared”.
“I am angry with the first half, I don’t like teams who are scared. We were not brave in the first half,” he said after the match.
Defensive disaster
While Syria won the match 3-0, coach Jose Lana would be gutted they didn’t convert more of their chances, particularly in the first half. After Al-Aswad opened the scoring, Alaa Aldeen Al Dali had a golden opportunity in the 10th minute, easily brushing off the defenders and unleashing a powerful shot, which was denied only by the crossbar.
In the 35th minute, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu saved a goal as he got down in time to stop a Mohammed Osman effort after the midfielder took control of a loose ball in the box.
Even the goals that India conceded in the second half — scored by Daleho Irandust (76’) and Pablo Sabbag (90+6’) — were a product of avoidable defensive mistakes.
For the second goal, Irandust received the ball on the right flank, tiptoed into the box, dropped his shoulder to beat Anwar Ali on the left, and fired a quick shot that Gurpreet couldn’t stop. It was that easy.
The final goal came with the final kick of the game as Mahmoud Al-Mawas received an unchecked pass from the midfield, cut it back for Sabbag and he did the rest.
The defensive meltdown is a major concern, as any chance of a positive result against higher-ranked teams will rely heavily on India’s defensive resilience. From a 1-0 loss in January to a 3-0 defeat now, Marquez has a big task ahead of him.
Better second half
India didn’t offer much going forward either in the first half but things got better in the second essay with Lallianzuala Chhangte being at the centre of most of the attacking moves. Three of India’s five shots on target came in the second half as substitutes Naorem Mahesh Singh, Edmund Lalrindika, and Liston Colaco started to have a positive impact.
Ten minutes into the second half, Sahal Abdul Samad squared off a ball to Chhangte at the edge of the box who then tested Syrian goalie Elias Hadaya with a strong shot. In the 60th minute, Chhangte had another chance when after a Samad cross was punched away by Hadaya, but the Mumbai City FC’s forward saw his shot blocked by Moaiad Al-Khouli.
In the 68th minute, a looping cross from Mahesh found Nandhakumar Sekar in the box, but his shot lacked power. Chhangte attempted to slide in and deflect it into the goal, but his effort was in vain.
Lalrindika and Colaco also tested Hadaya late in the half with some stinging shots but the goal never came.
Individuals under spotlight
While football is a team game, it’s also a collection of individual performances, and India’s Intercontinental Cup campaign leaves behind a few talking points in this regard. For instance, is Manvir Singh the best choice for the No. 9 role? The issue is that he plays as a right winger for Mohun Bagan Super Giant, and with few Indian strikers playing as centre-forwards in the Indian Super League (ISL), the options are limited.
Manvir is preferred due to his height and nippy footwork, but every time he starts as a No.9, it becomes clear that he needs more minutes in that role. Something that is not going to be possible in ISL.
Maybe Manolo will have to look at other options like Ishan Pandita or change the system so that a No.9 is not needed.
Also under the spotlight is senior goalkeeper Gurpreet whose mistake allowed Syria to score the second goal. It’s a low shot but closer to his body and someone of his stature is expected to make that save 10 out of 10 times. His mistake in the box also resulted in a winning penalty for Afghanistan in a FIFA World Cup qualifier match in March this year. He was also at fault when Australia broke the deadlock in the AFC Asian Cup after some inspired defensive work from India.
He has distinguishably served the Indian team for a long time, but on the international stage, the margin for error is very small.