Football
Intercontinental Cup: Blue Tigers eye fresh start under Manolo Marquez
The team with the most points at the end of these matches will be crowned the champion of the tournament.
Manolo Marquez is the head coach of the Indian football team. (Photo credit: AIFF)
The fourth edition of the Intercontinental Cup marks a significant milestone as the Indian national football team, the Blue Tigers, makes its return to Hyderabad after a 16-year hiatus.
From September 3 to 9, the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium will host this thrilling competition, which will see India facing off against Mauritius and Syria.
A Fresh Start for the Blue Tigers
The tournament comes at a crucial time for India, following a disappointing exit from the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in June.
Under the new head coach, Manolo Márquez, India is set to embark on a new journey with the long-term goal of qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, starting March 2025.
Márquez has emphasized the necessity of strong performances in the upcoming three FIFA International Match Windows to maintain India's position in Pot 1 for the December draw.
"We face two different teams and the rankings are not very important. We want to be in Pot 1. That would give us an advantage. We must play competitive games to improve. We all need to work together in the same direction to find the correct group of players and their predisposition will be very good, something I am completely sure about," said Márquez.
The Spanish coach, who will only have two training sessions before India’s opener against Mauritius on September 3, faces a challenging start.
Márquez announced a 26-member squad last month, including both new faces and familiar ones. Notable inclusions are Chinglensana Singh Konsham and Yasir Mohammad, who return after last year's Tri-Nation Series victory, and newcomers like Kiyan Nassiri Giri, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, and Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, who are eyeing their senior debuts.
"We'll have only two training sessions before the first game. But I feel that when there's a new coach and new staff, the predisposition is good. It's about the attitude of the players and I'm convinced that will be very good," Márquez stated.
Syria and Mauritius: Familiar Foes
The Intercontinental Cup offers India a chance to gauge their strength against familiar opponents.
Syria, ranked 93rd in the world, has a history with India, including a notable 0-1 defeat in the AFC Asian Cup that eliminated India from contention in January.
However, Syria will be without their star striker Omar Khribin, with goalscoring duties now resting on Mahmoud Al-Mawas and Colombia-born Pablo Sabbag. The squad also features younger talents like Daleho Irandust and Noah Shamoun, who will be eager to make an impact.
Mauritius, ranked 179th, comes to Hyderabad with its own set of ambitions.
Under the guidance of French coach Guillaume Moullec, who took over in May, Mauritius aims to find stability and efficiency.
Key players include veteran goalkeeper Kevin Jean-Louis, towering defender Dylan Collard, and former French youth international Lindsay Rose.
"We are really happy to be here. We're still in the preparation phase for official matches. And the important thing for us is to find stability and to start being more efficient," said Moullec.
The Road Ahead
The Intercontinental Cup will not only serve as a preparatory platform for both teams but also a crucial stepping stone for India’s aspirations in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. With a blend of experienced and emerging talents, the tournament will be a litmus test for Márquez and his squad.
Following their opener against Mauritius, India will face Syria on September 9. The team with the most points at the end of the group stage will be crowned th champion of the Intercontinental Cup 2024.
Team India Schedule
The Intercontinental Cup 2024 will feature a round-robin format with the following fixtures:
September 3: India vs. Mauritius at 19:30 IST
September 6: Mauritius vs. Syria
September 9: India vs. Syria
The team with the most points at the end of these matches will be crowned the champion of the tournament.
Where to Watch?
Football fans can catch all the action from the Intercontinental Cup on Sports 18 3, with live streaming available on JioCinema. This provides an excellent opportunity for supporters across India to follow the Blue Tigers as they seek to make a mark under their new coach.
