Mon Nov 18 17:16:55 UTC 2024: ## India Held to 1-1 Draw by Malaysia in Friendly, Coach Marquez’s Winless Streak Continues
**Hyderabad, India** – The Indian men’s football team’s search for a victory continues. They ended their year with a 1-1 draw against Malaysia in an international friendly on Monday at the Balayogi Stadium. The result extends head coach Manolo Marquez’s winless streak since taking the helm of the Blue Tigers.
Despite dominating possession for large stretches of the match, India conceded a 19th-minute goal due to a significant error by goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Paulo Josue capitalized on Sandhu’s misjudgment to easily tap the ball into an empty net.
However, India fought back, equalizing in the 39th minute through a header from Rahul Bheke following a corner kick. The team pressed for a winner in the second half but were unable to break down the Malaysian defense, leaving the scoreline unchanged at 1-1.
The match marked the India debut of Irfan Yedwad, while the return of Sandesh Jhingan after a long injury layoff provided a boost to the Indian defense. Despite showcasing periods of strong attacking play, the team’s inability to convert chances proved costly.
This draw follows a string of mixed results for India under Marquez, including a 0-0 draw with Mauritius, a 0-3 loss to Syria, and a 1-1 draw against Vietnam. The team will look to improve on their performance as they head into the new year.
First Piper 