Manolo Marquez’s stint as Indian soccer staff’s head coach started with a goalless draw towards lower-ranked Mauritius within the Intercontinental Cup opener Hyderabad on Tuesday. India, ranked 124th within the FIFA chart, loved possession early on even because the vacationers began the sport on a vigorous word on the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium. The failure to make the third spherical of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers nonetheless contemporary in reminiscence, which led to the unceremonious exit of former coach Igor Stimac, India, positioned as many as 55 spots above 174th-ranked Mauritius, failed to seek out the again of the online and as soon as once more left their followers dissatisfied.
The Indian defence was examined as early because the eighth minute when Jeremy Villeneuve of Mauritius gained a set-piece and unleashed the ball into the field, however Jeakson Singh was there to make the clearance.
Soon, there was one other opening for the guests however Jay Shah cleared the ball to security.
With their attacking model of soccer, Mauritius appeared threatening and had been creating extra alternatives than the house staff.
In the thirty fourth minute, striker Manvir Singh was despatched by way of on purpose by Anirudh Thapa and he challenged the Mauritius goalkeeper Kevin Obrian along with his left-footed strike, however the custodian was as much as the duty and pulled off an vital save.
In between, there was additionally a positive cross by Lallianzuala Chhangte from the precise wing, however Thapa couldn’t give you an correct header.
At the opposite finish, Mauritius got here near scoring what would have been a superb purpose however the shot missed the goal by a whisker.
India confirmed much more urgency and enterprise within the second half, trying to create probabilities and put the guests below strain.
Right after resumption, there was Chhangte working down the precise flank and sending the ball contained in the guests’ field, however an alert Obrian was there to thwart the try.
In the 51st minute, Sahal Abdul Samad, who was introduced rather than Thapa, ran down the flank however Mauritius had defenders in numbers to disclaim India.
Both groups continued to create the occasional probabilities however lacked the ending touches, with Mauritius usually trying the higher staff on show.
