All posts tagged: Manolo Marquez

Sunil Chhetri confirms the end of his India career after Asian Cup Qualifiers exit

Sunil Chhetri confirms the end of his India career after Asian Cup Qualifiers exit

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Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has confirmed that his international career has come to an end following India’s exit from the AFC Asian Cup 2027 final round qualifiers. The 41-year-old striker, who briefly came out of retirement earlier this year, said he has now drawn the curtain on his long and storied national team journey. Chhetri, India’s all-time top scorer, had initially retired from international football in June 2024 after a memorable farewell match at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. However, he was persuaded to return a year later by then-head coach Manolo Marquez to bolster India’s campaign in the Asian Cup qualifiers. With India now out of contention for the continental tournament, Chhetri said it felt like the right moment to step away for good. “It was easy telling Khalid Jamil, sir, about my decision,” Chhetri told Times of India. “When I joined the national team, I had only one idea in my head: to be as helpful as possible for the qualifiers. If there were no qualifiers, I probably wouldn’t have come back. Once …

Manolo announces 28-member team for Thailand friendly, AFC qualifier

Manolo announces 28-member team for Thailand friendly, AFC qualifier

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The Indian men’s national team head coach Manolo Márquez confirmed a 28-member squad for the FIFA friendly against host Thailand scheduled for June 4. The Blue Tigers had been training in Kolkata since May 19. The contingent will leave for Thailand on Wednesday evening. The friendly between India and Thailand will take place on June 4 at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani. Subsequently, India will depart for Hong Kong on June 5 for the all-important AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers final round fixture against the East Asian side on June 10. In Kolkata, Márquez’s men underwent six full days of training, with gym sessions in the mornings and on-pitch training in the evenings. The Blue Tigers played two practice matches on May 26 and 27. On Monday, they won 2-1 against Santosh Trophy Champions Bengal, with Brandon Fernandes and Ashique Kuruniyan finding the net. Tuesday saw a 3-0 victory over North 24 Parganas as Sunil Chhetri, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, and Udanta Singh Kumam scored the goals. India squad Goalkeepers: Hrithik Tiwari, Vishal Kaith, Gurmeet …

Manolo Marquez might resign as Indian men’s football head coach: Reports

Manolo Marquez might resign as Indian men’s football head coach: Reports

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The Indian men’s football team head coach Manolo Marquez might vacate from the role next month. Though the All India Football Federation has maintained that Marquez has yet not spoken to them about stepping down, multiple reports indicate that the coach could well be on his way out as early as after the AFC Asian Cup Qualification Third Round match against Hong Kong on 10 June, 2025. This development comes just days after Marquez led FC Goa to the 2025 Super Cup, becoming only the first club to win the title twice. The 56-year-old Marquez was named the Indian national coach last year after the unceremonious exit of Igor Stimac. The Spaniard continued in a dual role for the 2024-25 season, heading both the national team and FC Goa. Marquez’s contract with FC Goa is slated to end on 31 May, 2025 and he was expected to solely coach the Indian men’s national team from then. But with FC Goa now having secured a spot at the AFC Champions League Two preliminary rounds, reports suggest …

FC Goa eye turnaround at home vs Bengaluru FC

FC Goa eye turnaround at home vs Bengaluru FC

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FC Goa will host Bengaluru FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda in the second leg of their Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 semi-final fixture on April 6, at 7:30 pm IST. The Blues clinched a comfortable 2-0 victory in the previous game and the Gaurs will have to overcome that deficit to find a place in the finals. Bengaluru FC have won their last two playoffs games without conceding though, posing a significant challenge to the Manolo Marquez-coached side. Yet, the visitors have suffered defeats in their last two visits to Goa, including a goalless outing in their most recent trip. If they FC are unable to find the back of the net in this encounter, FC Goa will become only the third team against whom the Blues fail to score against in consecutive away games in the ISL. FC Goa’s Playoffs Challenge * Playoffs Record: FC Goa are currently on a three-game losing streak in the playoffs, which is their joint longest in ISL history. A defeat here would mark their worst …

‘I am really angry and disappointed’: Manolo Marquez after India’s goalless draw vs Bangladesh | Football News

‘I am really angry and disappointed’: Manolo Marquez after India’s goalless draw vs Bangladesh | Football News

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The Indian football team head coach, Manolo Marquez minced no words and said he was ‘angry and disappointed’ with the way Men in Blue played against Bangladesh on Tuesday. India played a goalless draw with Hamza Choudhury-led Bangladesh in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. “We didn’t even defend well. I am really angry and disappointed. The best thing is that all four teams are level on one point, so we start from zero again,” said Marquez during the post-match press conference. In the other group game, Singapore drew with Hong Kong, resulting in all four teams having the same points after their first matches. India went into the contest on a high, having beaten the Maldives 3-0 in an international friendly at the same venue last week. It was India’s first international win in 489 days and also the maiden victory under the current head coach Marquez. Captain Sunil Chhetri also returned to the national team. Story continues below this ad “If you ask …

‘Disappointed, angry’ – Coach Manolo Marquez lashes out after India’s draw against Bangladesh

‘Disappointed, angry’ – Coach Manolo Marquez lashes out after India’s draw against Bangladesh

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India’s 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Final Round campaign got off to a worrying start as they were held to a goalless draw by a lower-ranked Bangladesh at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Tuesday. Despite a strong home support, the Blue Tigers struggled on the pitch. They did not have the best of starts to the match with goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, making a massive error less than ten seconds into the match. India were fortunate that Bangladesh could not convert from a tight angle in the very first minute. Kaith made two more major blunders in front of the goal with defender Subhashish Bose making amends on both occasions to ensure the goalkeeper walked away with a clean sheet to boast of. There were chances missed in front of the goal as well with the likes of Farukh Choudhary, Udanta Singh, and Sunil Chhetri all failing to make the most of their opportunities inside the box. Chhetri, who was called up to resolve India’s scoring struggles, had a good chance to put India …

Can they stun India in Shillong?

Can they stun India in Shillong?

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44 years and 5 months. That’s how long Bangladesh has waited for another shot at the AFC Asian Championships. On March 25, 2025, that wait will culminate as they cross the 350+ kilometer journey to Shillong, Meghalaya, to face India in the opening match of their 12th attempt to qualify for Asia’s premier football competition. Back in 1980, Bangladeshi football was at its peak. Hovering around the 110-120 mark in the FIFA rankings, they were neck-and-neck with India in the SAFF region. Even today, these two nations remain the only ones from SAFF to have played in the Asian Championships. But despite Bangladesh’s resilience and fight over the years, India has consistently found a way past them. In 16 official competitive meetings, India boasts 8 wins, while Bangladesh’s only victory came in the 2003 SAFF Gold Cup semi-final—a triumph that remains their last international trophy to date. Choudhury Debuts, Bangladesh Hopes Rise For decades, Bangladesh’s football scene has revolved around the Dhaka giants—Abahani & Mohammedan, with Bashundhara Kings emerging as a dominant force in recent …

scores for India against Maldives, hides big cracks

scores for India against Maldives, hides big cracks

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It was a muted celebration, a hallmark of a player who has scored more goals for the Indian National team than any other. That Sunil Chhetri had turned back on a retirement, celebrated with aplomb in Kolkata, only to return back to an Indian team that went winless for an entire year and then immediately won on his return, seamlessly papered over the canyon-like cracks within the Indian football ecosystem on Wednesday. Three headed goals, two from corners and one godsend of an open play goal lifted India to a 3-0 victory over the Maldives in Shillong’s first-ever hosting of an international home game, albeit a friendly. This game was a warm-up for India before facing off against Bangladesh in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. For Manolo Marquez, who at one point last year saw through ninety abject minutes of Indian football before declaring that it possibly couldn’t get worse, a first win beckoned. The Spaniard chose a second-string side, opting to start Chhetri and Brandon Fernandes. Story continues below this ad For starters, …

After 489 days, India returns to winning ways with first win under Marquez

After 489 days, India returns to winning ways with first win under Marquez

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India secured their first victory under Manolo Marquez with a commanding 3-0 win over Maldives at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Wednesday. A dominant display saw the Blue Tigers claim victory, with all three goals—two from set-pieces and one from open play—coming through headers. Making his senior national team debut, Ayush Dev Chhetri partnered Suresh Singh Wangjam in midfield. Vishal Kaith started in goal for his first appearance since 2018, while Sunil Chhetri, back from retirement, donned the captain’s armband in his much-awaited return. The Blue Tigers started on the front foot right from kickoff. In just the second minute, Chhetri delivered a low cross for Liston Colaco, which deflected off a Maldivian defender. However, their goalkeeper reacted quickly to clear the danger before Naorem Mahesh Singh could get on the end of it. Marquez’s side kept up the pressure, increasing the tempo as they pushed for an early goal. India nearly broke the deadlock in the 12th minute when Brandon Fernandes whipped in a dangerous corner. The ball skimmed off the Maldivian …

India vs Maldives LIVE Score, Football Match 2025: All eyes on 40-year-old Sunil Chhetri on his comeback from retirement

India vs Maldives LIVE Score, Football Match 2025: All eyes on 40-year-old Sunil Chhetri on his comeback from retirement

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India vs Maldives LIVE Score, Football Match 2025: All eyes on 40-year-old Sunil Chhetri on his comeback from retirement Disclaimer: We do not own any of the content, ideas, images, or text presented here. All rights belong to their respective owners. For more information and to view the original source, please visit the following link: Source link