India’s head coach Manolo Marquez feels players can now better understand their philosophy. The Blue Tigers will take on Vietnam in an international friendly on October 12 at Thiên Trường Stadium in Nam Định.
Earlier in September, India played a goalless draw against Mauritius and then suffered a 3-0 loss against Syria in the Intercontinental Cup. Ergo, Marquez’s men will be determined to turn the tables against Vietnam.
Meanwhile, India was originally scheduled to participate in a tri-nation-friendly Vietnam tournament during the October FIFA international window. However, after Lebanon’s withdrawal, India will only take on Vietnam.
“In one way, it’s worse because you play only one game. In another way, it’s better because you have a little more time to prepare. If we had to play on the 9th, practically, we would’ve had only two training sessions before the game. At least now we’ll have four or five sessions. I think the players can better understand our philosophy,” Marquez said to aiff.com before boarding to Vietnam.
After an intense training session in Kolkata, Márquez assessed, “The attitude of the players was good today (Sunday). Some of them played yesterday (Saturday), the Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC players. Even FC Goa played the day before. I like their optimistic attitude.”
“Vietnam is also in a similar situation as us. Their league season is also four-five games old, so we arrive in similar conditions. I think the team that wins this will prove they are better than the other, at least in this game,” the Spaniard further added, shedding light on his opponent’s conditions.
India’s 23-member squad for the Vietnam friendly:
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith.
Defenders: Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Anwar Ali, Aakash Sangwan, Subhasish Bose, Asish Rai, Mehtab Singh, Roshan Singh Naorem.
Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco, Lalengmawia, Lallianzuala Chhangte.
Forwards: Edmund Lalrindika, Farukh Chaudhary, Manvir Singh, Vikram Partap Singh.
