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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
The goal drought India need to talk about
Kolkata: In 2019, after India lost 1-2 to Oman having led till the 82nd minute, head coach Igor Stimac said the team could not keep looking only to Sunil Chhetri for goals. Chhetri had put India ahead from a Brandon Fernandes free kick, a training ground drill executed to perfection, but India missed opportunities to kill the contest leading to Stimac speaking about the need for goals from other players. Following the high of a 0-0 draw away to Qatar, India's goals that year came from central defender Adil Khan and wide forward Seiminlen Doungel, both off Fernandes's set-pieces, but it was only in 2023 that Stimac got what he wanted. Of the 21 goals India scored that year, seven came from players not designated as forwards. Anirudh Thapa started the trend against Myanmar in the three-nation tournament and India had goals from Sandesh Jhingan, Udanta Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad and, including goals away from home against Iraq and Malaysia, three from Naorem Mahesh Singh in his first year of international football. No coincidence therefore that 2023 was also India's best year – Stimac's team won 10 of their 15 matches, two of them against higher-ranked opponents (Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon) – this century. India won three tournaments, broke into the top-100 and also had a rare away win in a World Cup qualifier. It was the only time between 2015 and now that they had notched up double digits in the wins column. It was also the last time India won a competitive match. Inability to get goals from players in different positions is one reason for that. It is also why goals scored per game has, as per data provided by All India Football Federation (AIFF), come down from 1.64 between 2015-19 to 0.75 now. As per AIFF data, the goals conceded per game consistently stayed over 1 between 2015 to now. Chhetri has been head and shoulders above his teammates when it comes to goals. He has got 49 of the 138 India have scored since 2015. Between 2015 and 2019 Chhetri also had the strong and powerful Jeje Lalpekhlua as his fellow striker, the two linking up superbly to score in the 1-0 win against Kyrgyzstan in 2017. Lalpekhlua also scored in the 4-1 win against Thailand in the 2019 Asian Cup before his career got derailed by injury. But equally crucially, 41 of those 138 goals, or 29.7%, have come from players not designated as forwards. Apart from Jhingan, Anwar Ali, Nishu Kumar, Rahul Bheke, Fulganco Cardozo, Narayan Das, Nikhil Poojary and Narender Gahlot are some of the defenders who got goals for India. Jackichand Singh, Suresh Wangjam, Rowlin Borges, Mohammed Rafique and Halicharan Narzary have stepped up from the midfield to do that as have Samad, Doungel, Udanta and Mahesh. Ashique Kuruniyan too, when used a wide player. Chhetri retired, returned but India's goals dried up after 2023. In four matches this year, India have scored only in one. In 15 matches since the start of 2024, Rahul Bheke is the only player who wasn't a forward to have scored. The defender's goals have come against Malaysia in 2024 and Maldives in March. Strikers not scoring is a concern AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey spoke about at last Friday's press conference in New Delhi. India has not been able to produce a good striker in the past 10 years, he said. The former goalkeeper said it would be difficult for a player used in a different role at his club to play as a striker for India with little time to train. Which makes it even more important that goals come from players in other areas of the pitch. Teams do well when that happens. Defenders Subhasish Bose, Tom Aldred and Alberto Rodriguez sharing 13 goals, or one-fourth of the club's tally of 52, was an important reason why Mohun Bagan Super Giant did the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) shield and cup double. Bagan scored 23 goals from set-piece situations in ISL last term. Choubey has spoken of the need for a discussion on how to increase game time for Indian strikers. Isn't it also time for a conversation on ways to do better at set-plays and find out why India's defenders and midfielders lack front-third sharpness?
India Today
12-06-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Why Manolo Marquez's India stint proves FIFA Career Mode isn't real life
In FIFA Career Mode, managing both a club and a national team is a walk in the park. You're juggling transfer windows on Monday, coaching your national team to World Cup glory by the weekend, and somehow everything fits perfectly. No angry fans, no scheduling headaches, no real-life football, in all its boldness, tried to replicate that fantasy. When the All India Football Federation handed the reins of the national team to Manolo Marquez in June 2024 while he continued as head coach of FC Goa, it felt like a daring move. After all, Marquez had earned his stripes in the ISL—smart, composed, and technically sound. If anyone could make this work, maybe it was nearly a year later, the experiment looks like a bad glitch in the matrix. India's national team is in shambles—bottom of their qualification group, three matches without a goal, and fresh off a humiliating loss to 153rd-ranked Hong Kong. What was meant to be a visionary double role is now an awkward cautionary grip on bothThis was never going to be easy. Being the boss of a club like FC Goa takes everything out of a manager—training sessions, tactical prep, squad management, post-match breakdowns. Now add to that the job of reviving a struggling national team that hasn't qualified for a major tournament in years, and you've got a recipe for calendar doesn't bend. While Marquez focused on the ISL for half the year, the national team had to make do with part-time attention. There was no long-term plan. No time for deep scouting. No time for building chemistry. And when it came time for Marquez to switch hats and take charge of the Blue Tigers, he found a side that had no rhythm, no confidence, and no clue in the final bite, even with ChhetriadvertisementOne of the biggest criticisms of Marquez's tenure has been India's complete lack of attacking threat. In desperation, Marquez even coaxed 40-year-old Sunil Chhetri out of international retirement—India's greatest ever striker, a man whose finishing is still sharper than most in the squad. Chhetri's return should've added calm, experience, and most importantly, in the crucial match against Hong Kong, Marquez benched him. And when India's new-look frontline—including the likes of Ashique Kuruniyan—missed a golden opportunity with an open goal in the 39th minute, the decision came back to haunt him. Chhetri's absence was felt immediately. If it had been him on the end of that chance, many believe the ball would have kissed the net instead of the wasn't just tactical confusion. It felt like a team caught in between generations, with no direction and no trust in its own the I-LeagueAnother worrying trend under Marquez has been his apparent disregard for the I-League—the same competition that once nurtured some of India's biggest stars. From Sandesh Jhingan to Jeje Lalpekhlua, the I-League has long been the launchpad for raw, hungry talents who later made their name in the ISL and the national with his tunnel vision locked onto ISL fixtures, Marquez has shown little interest in recognising or rewarding performances outside the ISL bubble. That's not just an oversight—it's a missed opportunity to scout the next Chhetri or Gurpreet before they're priced out of speak about I-League, but there is a difference between I-League and ISL. The strongest position in India is ISL. To play 2, 3, 4, 5 good games in I-League is not enough; you need to perform good in ISL,' Manolo told reporters ahead of India vs the national coach doesn't look at the second tier, who will? Indian football doesn't have the luxury of ignoring grassroots or lower-division talent. The I-League isn't just a relic—it's still relevant. And for a country that needs depth more than ever, brushing it aside is a critical results, angry fansLet's be real—losing to Hong Kong stung. Not just because of the rankings (India were 26 spots above them), but because of how flat India looked. There was no urgency, no spark. That result followed a goalless draw with Bangladesh and another against Thailand. Three games, zero goals, and a growing wave of fan Marquez tried to hold it together: 'The dressing room is like a funeral,' he said. And it probably was. But at some point, the emotions have to be matched with solutions. And so far, they've been now need to win all four of their remaining qualifiers to stay alive. But even one win feels like a long shot at the scouting, no depthA national team job is not just about picking the best eleven players—it's about building a pipeline, finding talent from every corner of the country, and nurturing them. But how do you do that when you're already occupied running a club?Marquez, locked into FC Goa commitments, never had time to look at players outside the obvious ISL names. The scouting structure didn't evolve. Youth players stayed on the fringes. And India's attacking woes, defensive lapses, and tactical disarray were all signs of a team that had no one fully invested in its FIFA, all your scouting reports arrive in a neat list. In reality, it takes time, effort, and patience—none of which this dual setup tickingWith matches against Singapore on the horizon in October, pressure is mounting. Marquez hasn't said he wants to step down, but there's growing noise that a change might be maybe that's for the best. Eleven months into a two-year deal, the idea has clearly not worked. Indian football needs a coach who can dedicate everything to building this team from the ground up—not someone switching roles isn't FIFAWhat Marquez's stint has taught us is simple—this isn't a game. You can't manage a club and a national team like it's a save file on FIFA. Indian football needs full-time commitment, fresh ideas, and a system that supports long-term now, it's time to put the controller down and fix what's broken. Because in real life, there's no 'simulate match' button—and definitely no restart.
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Business Standard
03-06-2025
- General
- Business Standard
India seek inspiration from last 2 wins in another friendly vs Thailand
India will take inspiration from their last two wins and talismanic Sunil Chhetri's good form when they face Asian rivals Thailand in an international friendly football match here on Wednesday. For India, Thailand have been one of the most familiar continental rivals outside of South Asian countries. Both are among middle-rung Asian countries in the FIFA charts. From the Asian Games to the Asian Cup, from the King's Cup to the Nehru Cup, the history of India versus Thailand clashes in men's football is a long one. Since the first meeting at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, when India won 4-1, the two teams have played 26 times. India have won seven matches, while Thailand emerged victorious 12 times, and seven were draws. The previous two matches, however, were both won by India in 2019. A sensational 4-1 win at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in Abu Dhabi, before a narrow 1-0 victory to win bronze at the King's Cup on Thai soil. Chhetri, who scored the first two goals in the Asian Cup victory, reminisced about the performance that ended India's 55-year wait for a win at the continental showpiece. "That was a long time back. What I remember of the game was that the team was outstanding in that game. That's also a marker for us to know that on a good day, if we work hard, that's what we can achieve," said Chhetri in a press release issued by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). "That game was special because a lot of young people did really well. So, we are taking a lot of positivity and inspiration from the game. "At that time, Thailand were probably better than us on paper by a mile. We were underdogs in that game, and to win the game the way we did it wasn't just four goals but the way we held ourselves and dominated the game was really fantastic." The Indian team will need the 40-year-old talismanic striker's goal-scoring prowess and his inspirational leadership to notch a hat-trick of wins against the Thais. A win on Wednesday at the Thammasat Stadium will also a big confidence booster before the crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifying round match against Hong Kong on June 10 in Kowloon. While India are currently placed 127th in the FIFA Rankings, Thailand are 99th. The Thais has risen 14 places since Japanese coach Masatada Ishii took charge in December 2023 and led them to the round of 16 of the Asian Cup a month later. Though they failed to make it to third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, 2024 was a fairly successful year for Thailand. They won the King's Cup and finished runners-up in the ASEAN Championship. The friendly against India serves as preparation for their AFC Asian Cup Final Round Qualifier against Turkmenistan. Thailand have players who ply their trade abroad like mid-fielder Jaroensak Wonggorn (Cerezo Osaka in Japanese top tier), midfielder Ekanit Panya (Ehime FC in Japanese second tier) and defender Elias Dolah (Bali United in Indonesian top tier). The notable names in the Thai squad are captain and mid-fielder Chanathip Songkrasin, who is the most experienced player with 70 caps, forward Supachai Chaided, Swedish-born defender Elias Dolah, midfielder Ben Davis, who has three goals in just six caps, and towering Italy-born defender Marco Ballini.
India Gazette
01-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Know Your Opponents: India and Thailand renew rivalry in men's football
Pathum Thani [Thailand], June 1 (ANI): From the Asian Games to the Asian Cup, from the King's Cup to the Nehru Cup, the history of India versus Thailand clashes in men's football is a long one. Including the first meeting, which India won 4-1 at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, the Blue Tigers and Changsuek have played 26 times, as per the AIFF official website. The head-to-head reads seven wins for India, 12 for Thailand, and seven draws. The previous two matches, however, were both won by India in 2019. A sensational 4-1 win at the AFC Asian Cup 2019 in Abu Dhabi, before a narrow 1-0 victory to win bronze at the King's Cup on Thai soil. Sunil Chhetri, who scored the first two goals in the Asian Cup victory, reminisced about the performance that ended India's 55-year wait for a win at the continental showpiece event. 'That was a long time back. What I remember of the game was that the team was outstanding. (Anirudh) Thapa was amazing. So was Udanta (Singh Kumam). The defence was amazing. Ashique (Kuruniyan) started with me, and he was good. The whole team was really, really good in that game,' he told 'I think at that time, Thailand were probably better than us on paper by a mile. We were underdogs in that game, and to win the game the way we did -- it wasn't just four goals but the way we held ourselves and dominated the game -- was really fantastic,' said Chhetri, who became the first Indian to score at two Asian Cups in that game. The 40-year-old added that it serves as a source of motivation for the Blue Tigers as they prepare to face Thailand again in the FIFA International Friendly on June 4 at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani. 'That's also a marker for us to know that on a good day, if we work hard, that's what we can achieve. That game was special because a lot of young people did really well. So, we are taking a lot of positivity and inspiration from the game,' said Chhetri. While India are currently placed 127th in the FIFA Rankings, Thailand are 99th. The Changsuek have risen 14 places since Japanese coach Masatada Ishii took charge in December 2023 and led them to the round of 16 of the Asian Cup a month later. Except for missing out on the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers after finishing behind Korea Republic and China in the group, 2024 was a fairly successful year for Thailand. They won the King's Cup after beating the Philippines and Syria, and were finalists in the Asean Championship, losing 3-5 on aggregate to Vietnam. For the Changsuek, the friendly against India serves as preparation for their AFC Asian Cup Final Round Qualifier against Turkmenistan. Thailand began their campaign with a 1-0 win over Sri Lanka in March -- a game the island nation 'did not deserve to lose,' according to Manolo Marquez. Among those who ply their trade outside Thailand are midfielder Jaroensak Wonggorn (Cerezo Osaka in the Japanese top tier), midfielder Ekanit Panya (Ehime FC in the Japanese second tier) and defender Elias Dolah (Bali United in the Indonesian top tier). Domestically, BG Pathum United and Muangthong United contribute the most to the Thai squad, with five and four players each, respectively. The notable names in the Thai squad are captain and midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin, who is the most experienced player with 70 caps, forward Supachai Chaided, Swedish-born defender Elias Dolah, midfielder Ben Davis, who has three goals in just six caps, and Italy-born defender Marco Ballini, with a towering height of two metres. Indian winger Lallianzuala Chhangte shared his thoughts on Thailand, which will be a solid test before the Asian Cup Qualifier against Hong Kong. 'We played against Thailand multiple times. They are a good team, a hungry one. They like to make runs behind. They are also a team that want to play with the ball. But again, we are totally focused on ourselves. It's all about executing what we have been doing on the training pitch in the match. And if we can do it, I believe we can win these two matches (against Thailand and Hong Kong),' said the 27-year-old. (ANI)
Hans India
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Chhetri recalls India's 'fantastic' 2019 AFC Asian Cup victory ahead of Thailand friendly
From the Asian Games to the Asian Cup, from the King's Cup to the Nehru Cup, the history of India versus Thailand clashes in men's football is a long one. Including the first meeting, which India won 4-1 at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, the Blue Tigers and Changsuek have played 26 times. The head-to-head reads seven wins for India, 12 for Thailand, and seven draws. The previous two matches, however, were both won by India in 2019. A sensational 4-1 win at the AFC Asian Cup 2019 in Abu Dhabi, before a narrow 1-0 victory to win bronze at the King's Cup on Thai soil. Sunil Chhetri, who scored the first two goals in the Asian Cup victory, reminisced about the performance that ended India's 55-year wait for a win at the continental showpiece event. "That was a long time back. What I remember of the game was that the team was outstanding. (Anirudh) Thapa was amazing. So was Udanta (Singh Kumam). The defence was amazing. Ashique (Kuruniyan) started with me, and he was good. The whole team was really, really good in that game," he told the AIFF's official website. "I think at that time, Thailand were probably better than us on paper by a mile. We were underdogs in that game, and to win the game the way we did — it wasn't just four goals but the way we held ourselves and dominated the game — was really fantastic," said Chhetri, who became the first Indian to score at two Asian Cups in that game. The 40-year-old added that it serves as a source of motivation for the Blue Tigers as they prepare to face Thailand again in the FIFA International Friendly on June 4 at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani. "That's also a marker for us to know that on a good day, if we work hard, that's what we can achieve. That game was special because a lot of young people did really well. So, we are taking a lot of positivity and inspiration from the game," said Chhetri. While India are currently placed 127th in the FIFA Rankings, Thailand are 99th. The Changsuek have risen 14 places since Japanese coach Masatada Ishii took charge in December 2023 and led them to the round of 16 of the Asian Cup a month later. Except for missing out on the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers after finishing behind Korea Republic and China in the group, 2024 was a fairly successful year for Thailand. They won the King's Cup after beating Philippines and Syria, and were finalists in the ASEAN Championship, losing 3-5 on aggregate to Vietnam. For the Changsuek, the friendly against India serves as preparation for their AFC Asian Cup Final Round Qualifier against Turkmenistan. Thailand began their campaign with a 1-0 win over Sri Lanka in March — a game the island nation 'did not deserve to lose,' according to Manolo Marquez. The notable names in the Thai squad are captain and midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin, who is the most experienced player with 70 caps, forward Supachai Chaided, Swedish-born defender Elias Dolah, midfielder Ben Davis, who has three goals in just six caps, and Italy-born defender Marco Ballini, with a towering height of two metres. Among those who ply their trade outside Thailand are midfielder Jaroensak Wonggorn (Cerezo Osaka in the Japanese top tier), midfielder Ekanit Panya (Ehime FC in the Japanese second tier) and defender Elias Dolah (Bali United in the Indonesian top tier). Domestically, BG Pathum United and Muangthong United contribute the most to the Thai squad, with five and four players each, respectively. Indian winger Lallianzuala Chhangte shared his thoughts on Thailand, which will be a solid test before the Asian Cup Qualifier against Hong Kong. "We played against Thailand multiple times. They are a good team, a hungry one. They like to make runs behind. They are also a team that want to play with the ball. But again, we are totally focused on ourselves. It's all about executing what we have been doing on the training pitch in the match. And if we can do it, I believe we can win these two matches (against Thailand and Hong Kong)," said the 27-year-old.
