Indian Football team to go International facing Malaysia in a Friendly Match

The Indian men’s football team, led by head coach Manolo Marquez, is set to play an international friendly against Malaysia on November 18 in Hyderabad

The Indian men’s football team, led by head coach Manolo Marquez, is set to play an international friendly against Malaysia on November 18 in Hyderabad. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) initially announced that the match would occur on November 19. However, it recently confirmed the updated date and venue—Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad, Telangana. This friendly will be held within the FIFA international match window from November 11-19, during which clubs are required to release players for national duty. This upcoming fixture is particularly crucial for India, as the team has yet to secure a victory under Marquez’s leadership, going winless in his first three games. India recently played in the Intercontinental Cup, where they drew 0-0 with Mauritius and lost 0-3 to Syria, the tournament’s champions.

Following that, India traveled to Vietnam for another friendly on October 12, which concluded in a 1-1 draw. The November 18 match will be Marquez’s fourth opportunity to lead India to a win, and facing Malaysia—a team ranked 133rd globally compared to India’s 125th—offers a promising chance. Historically, however, Malaysia has posed a challenge for India. The two teams last met in October 2023 during the Merdeka Cup semifinal, where Malaysia triumphed with a 4-2 score line. Given the current rankings, India will hope to capitalize on this match to boost its position and gain momentum as the year’s international calendar concludes. Playing in front of home fans at Gachibowli Stadium adds an encouraging dimension, with the Indian squad aiming to end the year on a high note.