All posts tagged: Manolo

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

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

Published by Webster

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 …

We Need To Improve A Lot: Indian Football Team Head Coach Manolo Marquez

We Need To Improve A Lot: Indian Football Team Head Coach Manolo Marquez

Published by Webster

Angry and disappointed with India’s 0-0 draw against Bangladesh in the Asian Cup qualifying round match, head coach Manolo Marquez on Tuesday made it clear that his side needs a lot of improvement if they are to qualify for the continental showpiece. India were held to a goal-less draw by lower-ranked Bangladesh in their opening Group C match of the qualifying third round match on March 25 in Shillong, which left Marquez fuming. India are up against Hong Kong in their second match — an away game — on June 10. The team has started its training camp on Monday. “We need to improve a lot because I felt that the team was going forward in every FIFA window except the last,” Marquez said, alluding to the match against Bangladesh. “It’s true that for the game against Bangladesh, we lost very important starting players. But it’s not an excuse for our poor performance in that game,” he said in a release from All India Football Federation (AIFF). “We need to be aware that …

Sunil Chhetri In Coach Manolo Marquez’s 28-Member Probables List For Kolkata Camp

Sunil Chhetri In Coach Manolo Marquez’s 28-Member Probables List For Kolkata Camp

Published by Webster

Indian football head coach Manolo Marquez has reposed faith in the abilities of veteran forward Sunil Chhetri, including him in the 28-member probables squad for next month’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 Final Round qualifiers. Chhetri, 40, was forced to come out of retirement in March to lead a struggling India, reversing his decision to hang up the boots last year after more than two decades of wizardry upfront. He has since led the national side in a friendly against Maldives and also played in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh. “The probables will assemble in Kolkata on May 18, to train for the FIFA International window in June,” said an All India Football Federation (AIFF) statement on Wednesday. India are placed in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Final Round qualifiers along with Bangladesh, Hong Kong China, and Singapore, with the matches being played in a home-and-away round-robin format. India will open their campaign against Hong Kong on June 10 at the Kai Tak Sports Park, in Kowloon City. …

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

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

Published by Webster

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 …

‘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

Published by Webster

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 …

We Need To Improve A Lot: Indian Football Team Head Coach Manolo Marquez

India Head Coach Manolo Marquez Tears Into Team After Bangladesh Draw: “Took 3 Steps Back…”

Published by Webster

“Angry and disappointed” at India playing out a 0-0 draw against Bangladesh in the AFC Asian Cup qualifying round match, head coach Manolo Marquez said his team has gone two-three steps back since the first match under him last year. At the end of a scrappy contest between the two familiar rivals, Marquez admitted that his team played a “very bad game” in all departments. “I am really angry and disappointed. If you ask me, maybe today is the most difficult press conference in my career. Because I don’t want to say all the things that are in my head at this moment,” the Spaniard said after the match on Tuesday night. “When we started in Hyderabad against Mauritius (in Intercontinental Cup in September 2024) with one training session, till now, before the game today, it was every time better. Today we took two or three steps back,” he said in a hard-hitting press conference. “Very, very poor performance of the Indian team, in the first half especially. It was better in the …

‘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

Published by Webster

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 …

Days after his 21st birthday Macarton Nickson receives his first India call-up by Manolo Marquez | Football News

Days after his 21st birthday Macarton Nickson receives his first India call-up by Manolo Marquez | Football News

Published by Webster

Some birthday presents are unforgettable, and for Macarton Nickson, this one tops them all. Just days after turning 21 (his birthday is on March 19), the talented NorthEast United midfielder received a call that every young footballer dreams of — an invitation to join India’s senior national team. Head coach Manolo Marquez has summoned Nickson to the camp in Shillong, where the squad is gearing up for the crucial Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh. His selection comes on the heels of a setback for India—star midfielder Brandon Fernandes was ruled out after picking up an injury in a dominant 3-0 friendly win over the Maldives. But while one door closes, another swings wide open, and Nickson is stepping through it with purpose. NorthEast United have been the surprise package of the season. Not only did they lift the prestigious Durand Cup, but they also stormed into the ISL playoffs with a fourth-place finish. While much of the spotlight has been on goal machine Alaaeddine Ajaraie, who set the league ablaze with 23 goals, Nickson has …

Brandon Fernandes ruled out of Bangladesh clash, confirms Manolo

Brandon Fernandes ruled out of Bangladesh clash, confirms Manolo

Published by Webster

India’s victory over the Maldives in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers came with a major setback, as key midfielder Brandon Fernandes has been ruled out of the next match against Bangladesh due to an injury. Head coach Manolo Marquez confirmed that Fernandes would not be available for selection, calling it an unfortunate incident. The Blue Tigers put in a dominant performance in Shillong, securing a 3-0 win through goals from Rahul Bheke, Manvir Singh, and Sunil Chhetri. However, the match also saw Fernandes exit the field in the 41st minute after slipping on the turf, raising concerns about the playing conditions. Speaking after the game, Marquez addressed the injury situation, stating, “No, for sure, Brandon won’t be available. Yes, we will call someone. We will cover Brison, who was in the stands today. But let’s see which player—it’s really bad luck that we lost three players in the last game in ISL, plus Manvir the other day during the break session, and today, Brandon.” Marquez also expressed concerns about the pitch conditions, highlighting that similar …

Indian Football Coach Manolo Marquez

Indian Football Coach Manolo Marquez

Published by Webster

As the Indian senior men’s team touched down in Shillong ahead of their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers opener against Bangladesh (March 25), one name stood out—Sunil Chhetri. The 40-year-old striker, returning to the national fold, remains the face of Indian football, his presence dominating posters and banners across the city. For head coach Manolo Márquez, the decision to recall Chhetri was a simple one: “We need players who score goals.” India’s recent struggles in front of goal have been evident under Márquez, with the Blue Tigers managing just two goals in his first four matches—one of them from a set-piece. With the crucial Asian Cup qualifiers ahead, the Spaniard knew he needed reliable finishers, and Chhetri, the ISL’s top Indian scorer this season with 12 goals, fit the bill. “In my four matches so far, we have only scored two goals. At this moment, the most important thing is to get results. Nothing else matters,” Márquez stated. Despite turning 40 last August, Chhetri’s numbers this season speak volumes. His 12-goal haul is more than …