Indian Football Team has been knocked out of the Intercontinental Cup 2024 after losing their second game against Syria. The Blue Tigers under their new head coach Manolo Marquez have been winless in both of their games. They entered the Intercontinental Cup with lots of hopes. But ended up underperforming once again. The side has not played as per the expectations of the fans and the coach.
India previously held to a goalless draw against Mauritius on September 3, earning only one point from the encounter. The Intercontinental Cup is a round-robin event in which the team that finishes first after the league stage matches wins the title. There is no final. Despite playing in the home condition the footballers took it easy against both their opponents. The Indian team was lucky not to concede more than one in the first half.
Syria dictated the whole game. They did not allow the Blue Tigers to take control or attack. India looked unfit with most of the Indian players hiding behind the ball, rather than fighting for it. The team did not have a proper No.9 who could attack the crosses delivered from the wings. It was all square and back passes that were played. Manolo Marquez is playing with a false 9 tactics and so far it has not worked for him.
Will Manolo Marquez transform Indian Football?
Do the footballers forget their skills and ability after wearing the national team jersey? Players like Sahal Abdul Samad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Apuia, Anwar Ali, and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu all have displayed horrifying performances. The second goal that the keeper Gurpreet conceded was a howler. The team needs to go on a transition phase to make better results.
So far the team has been lacking a striker who can score goals like their former captain Sunil Chettri and win matches. The team needs to buckle up quickly to face their upcoming challenges in Vietnam. The loss certainly raises a lot of pressing concerns about the Indian Football Team’s run under Manolo Marquez.
