The Indian men’s football team is set to play an international friendly against Malaysia on November 18 at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced.
The match, initially scheduled for November 19 without a confirmed venue, has now been advanced by a day, placing it in the final FIFA international match window of the year from November 11-19. During this period, clubs are required to release players for national duty, ensuring that the national team will have access to its top talent.
This will be India’s fourth match under chief coach Manolo Marquez, who took charge recently and has yet to secure a win with the team. India last competed in the three-team Intercontinental Cup at Gachibowli Stadium, where they drew 0-0 with Mauritius and lost 0-3 to Syria on September 9, who went on to win the tournament. Subsequently, India played an international friendly against Vietnam in Hanoi, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Also Read: Hyderabad Set to Host International Football Matches in Intercontinental Cup 2024
Facing Malaysia, ranked 133rd in the FIFA rankings, India (ranked 125th) is hoping for a favorable result. The two teams recently met in the Merdeka Cup semifinal in October 2023, where Malaysia triumphed 4-2 over India.
This upcoming friendly presents a critical opportunity for Marquez to secure his first victory as head coach and to assess the team’s form ahead of future competitions. Fans in Hyderabad will eagerly await this match, marking a significant moment for Indian football as the team seeks to end the year on a high note.
(This story is sourced from a third-party syndicated feed. Raavi Media takes no responsibility or liability of any nature. Raavi Media management/ythisnews.com can alter or delete the content without notice for any reason.)
