Manolo Marquez will make his debut as the head coach of the Indian men’s football team when the Blue Tigers face off against Syria and Mauritius in the Intercontinental Cup in Hyderabad. The team, currently ranked 124th in the world, is eager to begin this new chapter under the Spanish manager on a winning note, especially after failing to qualify for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. Their first test will come against the 179th-ranked Mauritius on September 3rd.
This will be a crucial match for Marquez and his squad, marking the beginning of their journey toward building a strong and competitive team. The match against Mauritius will be a particularly interesting one given the limited history between the two nations. India has only faced Mauritius once before, in a 2015 friendly tournament in Mumbai. That match saw India overcome an early deficit thanks to goals from Robin Singh and Balwant Singh, who secured the victory with a second-half strike.
As the Blue Tigers prepare for this new era, all eyes will be on Manolo Marquez and his tactical approach. Can he inspire the team to perform at their best and deliver a successful Intercontinental Cup campaign? The upcoming matches against Mauritius and Syria will offer valuable insights into the team’s potential under Marquez’s guidance.
