Manolo Marquez takes the helm of India’s national football team, a position left vacant by Igor Stimac, and embarks on a mission to revitalize the Blue Tigers. With India currently ranked 124th in the FIFA rankings and out of the running for the 2026 World Cup, the team faces a turbulent period. Marquez’s first assignment is the Intercontinental Cup, a three-match tournament where India will face Syria and Mauritius in Hyderabad from September 3rd to 9th. This city holds special significance for Marquez as he previously led Hyderabad FC to the Indian Super League (ISL) title in 2021-22.
The Intercontinental Cup marks Marquez’s debut on the international stage with India, and he will be without the services of veteran striker Sunil Chhetri, who recently retired from international football after a remarkable 20-year journey with the national team. Marquez’s squad for the tournament features three uncapped players: forwards Kiyan Nassiri and Edmund Lalrindika, and midfielder Lalthathanga Khawlhring (Puitea). This inclusion signifies Marquez’s intention to infuse fresh talent into the team and build for the future.
Marquez’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation is likely to remain the foundation of his tactics for the tournament. He has the flexibility to deploy a traditional back four or utilize a three-man defense with wing-backs to bolster the attacking buildup. A midfield pivot, serving as a bridge between defense and offense, will likely be flanked by two wingers, with a central attacking midfielder operating behind the lone striker.
One of the most notable aspects of Marquez’s selection is the absence of Vishal Kaith from the goalkeeper roster. Despite Kaith’s impressive performance last season with Mohun Bagan Super Giant, where he recorded nine clean sheets and a 61% save percentage, Marquez has opted for East Bengal’s Prabhsukhan Gill as the third goalkeeper, alongside the established Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Amrinder Singh.
Marquez possesses a squad with considerable versatility, allowing him to experiment with different formations and roles. Subhasish Bose, for instance, can be deployed as a left center-back in a three-man defense or as a right-back in a traditional back four. Jay Gupta, a familiar face to Marquez from their time together at FC Goa, is likely to occupy the left-back position due to his attacking prowess and defensive capabilities. Nikhil Poojary, although not at his best last season, could get another chance as Marquez is familiar with his playing style from their Hyderabad FC days. Anwar Ali and Rahul Bheke are expected to continue as the central defensive pairing, although Marquez might consider incorporating Chinglensana Singh, a key player during Hyderabad FC’s title run, into the starting lineup.
In the midfield, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam and Lalengmawia (Apuia) Ralte are expected to form the midfield pivot. However, to mitigate the risk of injury, Marquez might utilize his squad depth and rotate Jeakson and Apuia, potentially including Suresh Singh Wangjam in the midfield pairing. The experienced Anirudh Thapa adds further versatility to the midfield.
Sahal Abdul Samad, with his exceptional vision, is a crucial asset in the attacking midfield role. However, the absence of Brandon Fernandes, who is recovering from injury, will be a significant loss for India. Fernandes, who played under Marquez at FC Goa last season, was one of the ISL’s top performers, creating 60 goal-scoring chances (the most in the league) and directly contributing to four goals. India will miss his incisive passes and threat from set pieces.
The wide attacking positions are likely to be occupied by Lallianzuala Chhangte on the right and Liston Colaco on the left, both of whom are capable of beating defenders with their pace and agility. They are expected to play a pivotal role in building and finalizing India’s attacking moves. Mohammad Yasir, another of Marquez’s players at Goa, and Naorem Mahesh Singh are potential substitutes on the flanks.
Marquez’s decision to exclude Rahim Ali from the squad was surprising, given his recent performances. The injury to Vikram Partap Singh further reduces Marquez’s options in the forward line. As a result, Manvir Singh, usually a right-winger for Mohun Bagan, is likely to start as the lone striker, leveraging his off-the-ball movement, aerial abilities, and finishing skills. The uncapped forwards, Nassiri and Lalrindika, are expected to play key roles off the bench.
The Intercontinental Cup represents a significant opportunity for Manolo Marquez to establish his mark on Indian football. As he navigates the challenges of rebuilding the team and preparing for a new era, the world will be watching to see how he molds this talented squad into a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
