India vs Malaysia: Manolo Marquez’s India Settles for 1-1 Draw Against Malaysia

India rallied after losing by a goal against Paulo Josue in the 19th minute, and 20 minutes later Rahul Bheke headed the equalizer home.

The story of 2024 has been about India getting humiliated by FIFA teams with inferior rankings in men’s football. The 1-1 tie at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium here on Monday in the international friendly against Malaysia, which is rated 133rd and eight spots lower than India, was not an exception.

The home team put up a valiant fight after losing by a goal to Paulo Josue in the 19th minute, and 20 minutes later Rahul Bheke headed the equalizer home.

With the rankings set to be released in ten days, the draw nearly guaranteed India a spot in pot 1 for the third round of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

After crushing Laos 3-1 in their last encounter, Malaysia launched a counterattacking 4-3-3 formation to start the game. Sergio Aguero kicked the ball past the net for the team’s first shot in 14 seconds.

It ends all square in Hyderabad.#INDMAS #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/mHfNxTNTgj

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) November 18, 2024

The home team put up a valiant fight after losing by a goal to Paulo Josue in the 19th minute, and 20 minutes later Rahul Bheke headed the equalizer home.

With the rankings set to be released in ten days, the draw nearly guaranteed India a spot in pot 1 for the third round of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

After crushing Laos 3-1 in their last encounter, Malaysia launched a counterattacking 4-3-3 formation to start the game. Sergio Aguero kicked the ball past the net for the team’s first shot in 14 seconds.

Still audible were chants from the vastly outnumbered away supporters wearing Harimau Malaya banners and scarves. Manolo Marquez, standing like a headmaster with his hands behind him and shell-shocked, called for quick action.

And the response was created in 20 minutes. To the relief and delight of more than 15,000 spectators at the stadium, Brandon Fernandes took the left corner kick, and Bheke’s header smashed the net.

Farukh Choudhary, his club colleague, and Irfan Yadwad, who made his debut, did combine effectively, but neither player was able to finish on goal, with the latter wasting a chance to score with a scissor kick.

By substituting Lallianzuala Chhangte, Farukh, and Yadwad for Manvir Singh, Edmund Lalrindika, and Jithin MS, Marquez attempted to liven up the match, but Malaysia held firm with their marking and ended the match on even terms.

When replacement Fergus Tierney’s header struck the woodwork in second-half stoppage time, it even came dangerously close to taking the lead. However, the squad and its supporters would relish the situation since a victory and a draw within this FIFA window would certainly result in a boost in the rankings.