Marquez Aims for Flawless Start in Asian Cup Qualifiers at Shillong

Shillong, March 24 (NationPress) The senior men's football team of India is set to kick off their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers final round against Bangladesh at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong this coming Tuesday.

The other two teams in Group A, Singapore and Hong Kong, will also compete against each other on the same day. With only the group winners advancing to the final tournament in Saudi Arabia, the stakes are high, and Manolo Marquez has referred to the qualifiers as 'six finals.'

"The initial match carries significant weight. It’s a brief competition where only the leading team qualifies for the tournament," Marquez stated during the pre-match press conference on Monday.

"Comprising six games, we need to secure the top position. Our goal is to collect the maximum points possible to qualify for Saudi Arabia.

To prepare for this crucial qualifier, India recently played a friendly against the Maldives, achieving a convincing 3-0 victory, marking Marquez's first win as head coach of the national team. Rahul Bheke, Liston Colaco, and Sunil Chhetri, who celebrated his return to the national squad with his 95th international goal, were the scorers.

Commenting on Chhetri's return and his goal-scoring prowess, Marquez remarked, "Sunil is a legend in Indian football and the season's top scorer. Although we faced challenges in scoring during my initial games, we excelled in creating opportunities. His presence is a fantastic boost for our team."

Defender Sandesh Jhingan, who joined Marquez at the press conference, added, "We always anticipate him finding the net. With 95 goals, his return is a tremendous asset. His quality makes him a threat to any opponent, not just Bangladesh.

"Whenever India faces Bangladesh, we expect a match filled with high intensity, passion, and excitement, whether in football or any sport. We are focused on securing a positive result. Proper preparation is key; it enables us to defeat any team, while lack of it can lead to unexpected outcomes. We approach every match with optimism," the 31-year-old defender stated.

Despite the noticeable gap in FIFA Rankings, with India positioned at 126 and Bangladesh at 185, Marquez emphasized that rankings do not necessarily reflect a team's true capabilities. The inclusion of midfielder Hamza Choudhury will bolster the Bengal Tigers' squad strength.

"Bangladesh possesses talented players. Their coach Javier Cabrera has been with them for the past three years, instilling a consistent philosophy. Most of the players are familiar from their encounter against the Maldives last November. Continuity is vital.

"Hamza, of course, is an excellent player who has experience in the Premier League. His presence is beneficial not only for Bangladesh but for Asian football as a whole. I believe his teammates will be highly motivated to play alongside him.

"We always prepare for the best version of our opponents. Our approach remains consistent regardless of who we face – whether it’s the Maldives, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, or Singapore. We must understand their strengths and weaknesses. However, we will not alter our style of play. We are confident that if we perform well, victory is attainable tomorrow (Tuesday)," Marquez concluded.

Bangladesh's head coach, Javier Cabrera, also hailing from Spain, stated, "I expect an exhilarating match. Our team is highly motivated. We have been training intensively for 24 days, and we feel stronger than ever, anticipating a closely contested game. We aim to challenge India significantly."

Captain and midfielder Jamal Bhuyan, who previously played for Mohammedan Sporting in the I-League, expressed his excitement about returning to India, saying, "I have fond memories here, and I’m thrilled about the upcoming match. We know it will be tough, but we will give our utmost effort."

The match will be streamed live on JioHotstar and broadcasted on Star Sports 3.