Mon Nov 18 17:13:23 UTC 2024: ## India Seeks First Win of 2024 Against Malaysia in Hyderabad Friendly

**Hyderabad, India** – India’s national football team will face Malaysia in a crucial international friendly match on November 18th at the Gachibowli stadium in Hyderabad, kicking off at 7:30 PM. The match, streamed live on JioCinema and with a live blog on espn.in, represents India’s last chance to avoid a winless 2024.

Coach Manolo Marquez, yet to secure a victory since taking the reins, will be hoping to turn the tide against a familiar foe. India and Malaysia have met 32 times previously. Their last encounter, in the 2023 Merdeka Tournament, saw Malaysia emerge victorious with a 4-2 win.

Despite the lack of wins, India’s performance against Vietnam showcased improvement, particularly in the second half. However, defensive vulnerabilities remain a concern. The return of Sandesh Jhingan bolsters the defense, but injuries to key players like Asish Rai and Aakash Sangwan necessitate adjustments. Manolo Marquez is experimenting with new faces, including Vibin Mohanan and Irfan Yadwad. The team’s focus remains on improving attacking plays and reducing errors, particularly in transitions.

Malaysia, under caretaker coach Pau Marti (also from Barcelona), arrives with a recent Merdeka Tournament win under their belt, although a loss to New Zealand and fatigue after a recent match against Laos might present challenges. Their attacking prowess, particularly from top scorer Rasid, poses a significant threat to India’s defense. The absence of several Johor Darul Ta’zim players adds a further challenge for Marti’s tactical decisions.

Both coaches expressed determination; Marquez highlighting the need to minimize mistakes, and Marti aiming to improve Malaysia’s away record. The friendly, while not impacting FIFA rankings, offers a valuable opportunity for both teams to assess their progress ahead of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

**Predicted Lineups:**

**India (4-2-3-1):** Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK); Jay Gupta, Chinglensana Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Rahul Bheke; Suresh Singh, Apuia; Liston Colaco, Vibin Mohanan, Lallianzuala Chhangte; Farukh Chaudhary.

**Malaysia (4-3-3):** Syihan Hazmi (GK); Daniel Ting, Safwan Mazlan, Dominic Tan, Dion Cools; Stuart Wilkin, Nooa Laine, Zhafri Yahya; Sergio Aguero, Paulo Josue, Safawi Rasid.

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