India has a golden opportunity to lift their first trophy under head coach Manolo Marquez as they face Syria in the final match of the Intercontinental Cup 2024. The match, scheduled for Monday at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium, holds immense significance for both teams.
The Blue Tigers, needing a win after a goalless draw against Mauritius in their opening fixture, are aiming to secure their first silverware under Marquez. A draw would be enough for Syria to defend their title, having already secured three points by defeating Mauritius 2-0.
Marquez, who has prioritized playing good football over winning at any cost, acknowledges the importance of the match. “It is a friendly game, but the team who wins will win the trophy. It is going to be a tough game, but let’s see what happens,” he said in the pre-match press conference. He emphasized the need for his team to understand his playing philosophy, stating, “I don’t want to win it 1-0, scoring with the hand. At this moment, I want the team to understand our ideas and play better because finally, it’s not about winning or losing. You need to arrive at a style of play, and that’s what we are focusing on.”
Marquez has confirmed changes to the starting lineup, with Subhasish Bose replacing Jay Gupta at left-back and Anwar Ali potentially partnering Rahul Bheke in central defense. The midfield duo of Lalengmawia (Apuia) Ralte and Jeakson Singh is likely to remain unchanged, while Sahal Abdul Samad could replace Anirudh Thapa in the advanced midfielder role. Upfront, India will likely continue with the trio of Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, and Lallianzuala Chhangte. Young Kiyan Nassiri, eager to make his national debut, could be a valuable asset from the bench.
Despite the importance of the final, Marquez recognizes the challenge posed by Syria’s attacking prowess, combined with the fact that his players are still in pre-season while their Syrian counterparts have already started their club season. “When you are in the pre-season, you are not in your best moment physically. In fact, some players finished the first game very tired. And this is normal. One good thing is that all 25 players are available for tomorrow,” he said.
Syria’s coach Jose Lana has also hinted at changes to his lineup, but remained tight-lipped about specifics. Mahmoud Al Mawas, who was a key attacker against Mauritius, is expected to start along with Pablo Sabbag. Thaer Krouma, a Mumbai City FC defender, could be a key addition to the Syrian backline, bringing familiarity with Indian playing styles. “I like the way they [India] play with this coach. They try to move the ball fast. They know how to play when they don’t have the ball…I think it will be a difficult match for us. Our objective for tomorrow is to be better than our previous match,” Lana said.
The Intercontinental Cup final promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams with contrasting strengths and strategies. With both teams determined to secure victory, the match is set to be a captivating display of footballing talent and tactical prowess.
