Manolo Marquez’s India show signs of promise in draw with Vietnam

Although there was no winner, Farukh’s counter-attack and the finale showed signs of football that many have been invigorated by Marquez’s arrangements.

Farukh’s determination, coupled with a change in formation, was Marquez’s most memorable big mark in this group. On the pitch, however, India needed some sharpness at first, despite five courses of instruction in the build-up. Vietnam’s quick forwards were joined by better exchanges in the early stages against the Indian defence. Rahul Bheke committed an easily justified free-kick, and Vietnam could have taken an early lead inside 10 minutes but for a feeble effort from captain Que Ngoc Hai.

India’s only bright spot in the half was Farukh, who showed great ability and development in leading the line. In the eighth minute, he picked up the ball about 35 yards from goal, beat Nguyen Thanh Binh and unleashed a left-footed shot that Nguyen Filip had to save. Minutes later, Brandon Fernandes picked out Farukh’s run near the far post, but his shot was blocked by Filip’s leg. In a half that Vietnam largely dominated, these were India’s only two shots.

In 2022, Vietnam beat India 3-0 in Ho Chi Minh City after leading 1-0 at half-time. However, this was not the same Vietnam team from the Hang-Sanh Playground Search Engine Optimization era. The team had lost 10 of its last 11 official coordinates and had undergone two administrative changes.

Marquez’s half-time speech seemed to have made the ideal difference. “During the break, I reminded the team to keep the ball, exploit the space on the flanks and try not to lose possession,” the Spaniard later explained. For about 30 minutes after the restart, India dominated both with and without the ball. “For about 50 per cent of the time, the Vietnamese team played well and dominated. At the end, we controlled the game,” he added.

India’s passing became sharper and more deliberate, often playing through the lines. Suresh Wangjam and Lalengamwia Ralte were successful in midfield, holding possession and consolidating well with Brandon to push forward. Whenever Vietnam tried to break through, India’s midfielders and defenders pressed, winning the ball back with force.

Eventually, India’s tension paid off. Suresh, perhaps enjoying his best outing in an India shirt, threw a ball over his head to see Farukh run. The attacker held off Que Ngoc’s challenge and produced a risky flick on his weaker left foot that Filip charged towards. Although Que Ngoc chased after it, he could see the ball land at the back of the net.

By the time Bui Vai Ho’s 38th-minute volley deflected off Anwar Ali and flew over the line, India were clearly second in the table at the Thien Truong Stadium in Nam Dinh. Manolo Marquez, with plenty of generosity at his disposal, was feeling the pressure to steer the crowd away from mediocrity. Another defeat, after his erratic start to his coaching career with FC Goa, would have added to the scrutiny.

However, India emerged from the end with a significantly better exhibition. While it wasn’t the desired success – their first of the year – a 1-1 draw away to Vietnam did put some purpose behind the goodwill.

While the first XI was reported, Marquez made an interesting choice, starting Farukh Choudhary, usually a winger for his club, at No. 9 in a 3-4-3 formation to mirror Kim Sang-sik’s setup. Farukh’s last public appearance was a long time ago, before a serious knee injury sidelined him for nearly a year, sending him tumbling down the food chain. The 27-year-old needs to get his bearings back in the mix, and his solid start to the Indian Super League season with Chennaiyin FC has earned him a place in the Vietnam squad.

However, India failed to follow up the second goal to seal the game, and tired legs after the substitutions allowed Vietnam to regain control. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who had saved an earlier penalty, made a crucial save in the final minute, while Anwar headed the ball over the line in the closing stages to preserve the 1-1 scoreline.

India were not to be beaten, however, with Farukh’s rebound and the team’s final-half performance showing signs of strong progress under Marquez.