“Angry and upset” at India enjoying out a 0-0 draw towards Bangladesh within the AFC Asian Cup qualifying spherical match, head coach Manolo Marquez mentioned his crew has gone two-three steps again because the first match below him final yr. At the top of a scrappy contest between the 2 acquainted rivals, Marquez admitted that his crew performed a “very dangerous sport” in all departments. “I’m actually offended and upset. If you ask me, possibly at the moment is probably the most tough press convention in my profession. Because I do not need to say all of the issues which are in my head at this second,” the Spaniard mentioned after the match on Tuesday evening.
“When we began in Hyderabad towards Mauritius (in Intercontinental Cup in September 2024) with one coaching session, until now, earlier than the sport at the moment, it was each time higher. Today we took two or three steps again,” he mentioned in a hard-hitting press convention.
“Very, very poor efficiency of the Indian crew, within the first half particularly. It was higher within the second half however not sufficient. We received one level, that is the very best factor.” Marquez talked about the absence of some injured gamers however mentioned it was no excuse for the poor present.
“A whole lot of essential gamers, starters, they aren’t right here. All of them injured. But this isn’t an excuse,” he mentioned, referring to the accidents to Brandon Fernandes, Manvir Singh and Lallianzuala Chhangte.
“First, it is a actuality. But second, we have to enhance at all times. Even enjoying good soccer, you could enhance at all times in all of the areas, in defence, in assault, in transitions, in set-pieces, every thing.
“Today was not our day. The neatest thing is that every one 4 groups are with one level and we have now 5 video games. We begin from zero within the second spherical.” Midfielder Lalengmawia Ralte mentioned his crew was “fortunate” to have gotten a draw.
“I additionally agree that we’re fortunate to not concede a objective. And we’re fortunate to get the draw. We may have performed so significantly better.” Marquez, who took cost as India head coach in July 2024, dismissed the notion that his gamers are missing in expertise.
“This is nothing about expertise or not expertise. This is the way you enter within the sport. The sport began with one cross again. And the goalkeeper handed the ball to the (Bangladesh) striker. And the striker, with out the goalkeeper, he despatched the ball out,” he mentioned referring to Vishal Kaith’s mistake early within the sport.
“In this case, it was the goalkeeper. But virtually, it was each single participant. And I do not need to say this or that. Obviously, some gamers are higher.” He was additionally requested about only a few Indian gamers enjoying in striker’s place within the Indian Super League groups.
“Nothing to say to the coaches (of ISL groups). They can put the gamers that they need. Even I performed with a international striker,” mentioned Marquez who can also be doubling up as FC Goa head coach.
He will go away the FC Goa place and can solely be the India head coach after the play-offs matches of the ISL, with the ultimate taking place on April 12.
When he was instructed that some matches of the ISL and Super Cup are left to be performed within the home circuit, he mentioned, “When you might be upset, you might be upset. But in case you ask me, I anticipated this efficiency.
“You say about ISL and the Super Cup. Maybe it is not the very best second to place the gamers simply after this FIFA window. But that is my opinion.” In the March FIFA window, India performed two matches, the worldwide pleasant towards Maldives (3-0 win on March 19) being the opposite one.
Replying to a different query, he mentioned, “The gamers arrived on the nationwide crew with two days. They performed two days in the past, one other seven days in the past, one other 5 days in the past, one other 4.
“Everyone will say excuses. But the fact is that the bodily situation will not be the identical while you arrive. When you performed yesterday, and while you performed one week in the past. But this isn’t the rationale that at the moment we play a foul sport. It’s just one rationalization about your query.” PTI PDS PDS AH AH
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
