How Can Coach Marquez Help India Regain Momentum After Bangladesh Draw Ahead of Asia Cup Qualifier Against Hong Kong?

Kolkata, May 20 (NationPress) The senior men's football squad of India has initiated their training regimen for the upcoming FIFA International Window scheduled for June with a session in Kolkata on Monday.

On June 4, India will play a friendly match against Thailand in Pathum Thani, followed by the crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier against Hong Kong in Kowloon City on June 10.

Head coach Manolo Márquez expressed his thoughts on the team's development during his tenure, noting improvements in every FIFA window except the last.

"We need to enhance our performance significantly because I observed that the team was progressing in every FIFA window until the last one," Márquez conveyed to the-aiff.com.

Despite achieving a 3-0 victory over the Maldives in March, which marked Márquez's first win, the 0-0 draw with Bangladesh was not the desired start to the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

"It's accurate that we missed crucial starting players for the Bangladesh match. However, this cannot serve as an excuse for our inadequate performance. We must recognize the challenge posed by Hong Kong, and we have sufficient time to prepare, remain competitive, and aim for victory to secure the three points," he emphasized.

Among the 28 players called up by Márquez, 26 participated in the initial training session. Defender Rahul Bheke, a new father, will join the squad on May 23, while midfielder Ashique Kuruniyan is currently unwell and will start training with the Blue Tigers on May 21. The team will fly to Thailand on May 28.

In Group C, Singapore and Hong Kong also ended in a 0-0 stalemate, leaving all four teams level on points after the first matchday. India is set to face Hong Kong on June 10, while Singapore will travel to Dhaka to take on Bangladesh. Only the group winners will advance to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.

"I spoke with Javi Cabrera, the Bangladesh coach, prior to the match, and he mentioned that in this group, predicting the final standings is challenging; any team can defeat another. After the results from the opening day, I acknowledged his perspective. Now, all four teams have one point each, making it feel like a fresh start with five matches remaining, not six," Márquez commented.

As the highest-ranked team in the group, India, classified as a Pot 1 side, is preparing for what could be the most challenging match of their campaign—an away game against Hong Kong, a Pot 2 team. However, Márquez insists the competition is too close to call and may be determined by minor details.

"I perceive all games as highly challenging. I observed the match between Singapore and Hong Kong; Singapore was superior in the first half, while Hong Kong excelled in the second. It was a balanced contest, similar to India-Bangladesh," he noted.

Before focusing on the qualifier against Turkmenistan in Group D, India must first contend with Thailand, another Pot 1 side. Ranked 99th globally, Thailand is 28 spots ahead of India and is expected to provide a solid challenge for the Blue Tigers, despite their narrow 1-0 victory over Sri Lanka, ranked 200th, in March.

"I consider Thailand a valuable opportunity for preparation ahead of the Hong Kong clash due to their Pot 1 status. I reviewed their game against Sri Lanka, where they managed only a 1-0 win, and I believe Sri Lanka deserved better," Márquez stated.

Several new talents have joined the Indian squad, earning their first national team call-ups following impressive performances in the Indian Super League and the recently held Kalinga Super Cup. Suhail Ahmad Bhat from Mohun Bagan SG, Hrithik Tiwari, the goalkeeper from FC Goa, and Nikhil Prabhu, the midfielder from Punjab FC, are eager to make their mark and potentially debut for India.

"Suhail is an attacker with exceptional movement. His finishing skills were evident during the Super Cup, showcasing his ability to navigate the box effectively," Márquez praised.

"I have a thorough understanding of Hrithik, and in my belief, he is on track to become a top goalkeeper in India. Nikhil Prabhu has shown significant growth; he transitioned from a center-back to a defensive midfielder with great success. He’s a well-rounded player, improved in aerial challenges, and possesses a promising future," the coach added.