In a spirited international football friendly, the Indian football team displayed resilience and determination as they battled Vietnam to a 1-1 draw on a lively matchday this past Saturday. Under the guidance of their head coach, Manolo Marquez, who is still in pursuit of his first victory with the squad, India overcame a stiff challenge at the Thien Truong Stadium, located approximately 100 kilometers from the bustling city of Hanoi.
The visiting side faced an early setback when Vietnam, who are ranked 116th in the FIFA rankings—ten spots above India, surged to a lead in the 38th minute. Nguyen Hoang Duc capitalized on an opportunity that arose from a defensive error, nudging the ball into an open net. But India responded with verve and energy, mounting a fightback that materialized through the feet of Farukh Choudhary. His equalizing goal came in the 53rd minute, much to the delight of the Indian supporters who had gathered to witness the clash of two determined teams.
For Coach Marquez, the fixture was another step in an ongoing journey of building and refining the national team’s strategies and cohesiveness. His tenure began with a draw against Mauritius, followed by a challenging defeat to Syria in the Intercontinental Cup in Hyderabad. This 1-1 draw against a higher-ranked Vietnam serves as a testament to the growing potential and grit of the Indian side under his stewardship.
The first half of the game was packed with excitement and tension. Early on, a critical moment unfolded when India’s vigilant goalkeeper and captain, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, became the center of attention. Presented with a penalty kick opportunity in the 10th minute following a foul by Indian defender Rahul Bheke, Vietnam was poised to take an early lead. However, Sandhu rose to the occasion, skillfully blocking a straightforward shot by Vietnam’s captain Que Ngoc Hai, denying them the advantage.
Moments before this, Choudhary had nearly found success for India. Escaping his markers, he released a powerful left-footed strike from just outside the box – only to see it halted by Vietnamese goalkeeper Nguyen Filip. As the half progressed, Vietnam seemed to gain momentum. In the 17th minute, a promising chance from Nguyen Van Toan narrowly missed the target, signalling Vietnam’s increasing threats.
As the clock ticked toward halftime, Vietnam seized their chance.
. A volley from Bui Vi Hao within the Indian box deflected off an Indian defender. Despite a valiant effort by Sandhu, the ball slipped past him, landing at the feet of Nguyen Hoang Duc, who merely tapped it in, handing Vietnam the crucial opening goal.
The narrative shifted post-interval, with India stepping onto the pitch with renewed ambition and confidence. Their persistence bore fruit in the 53rd minute. Anwar Ali, asserting his defensive prowess, launched a precise long ball from near midfield. Choudhary, with remarkable agility, outmaneuvered Vietnam’s Que Ngoc Hai to win an aerial duel, cleverly tipping the ball over the advancing Vietnamese keeper Nguyen Filip, thereby leveling the scoreline.
India continued to press forward, unsettling the Vietnamese defense with their incisive approach. In the 63rd minute, substitute Edmund Lalrindika replaced Choudhary, adding fresh energy to the attack. A few minutes later, a deflected shot by Lallianzuala Chhangte resulted in a corner, as India maintained pressure on the hosts.
Nevertheless, the match’s closing stages witnessed a shift as Vietnam regained control, orchestrating several attempts to snatch victory. In the 79th minute, Sandhu executed a stunning reflex save, thwarting a sharp attempt by Van Vu from within the area. This was quickly followed by an impressive goal-line clearance by defender Anwar Ali, who headed out a shot destined for the net.
Originally, the Indian team was expected to feature in a tri-nation tournament, which was unfortunately altered due to Lebanon’s withdrawal amidst difficulties stemming from domestic crises. The adjustment left India contending only against Vietnam within the allocated FIFA international match window running from October 7-15. Initially, matches against both Vietnam and Lebanon were planned, with the latter scheduled for October 12. However, the revised arrangements saw the Indian team focusing solely on the fixture against Vietnam.
In summary, the encounter was an exemplary showcase of two competitive national teams and highlighted India’s newfound resilience on the international stage. The head coach’s ambition for victory remains undiminished as India forges ahead in anticipation of future challenges, emboldened by their performance against a formidable Vietnamese squad.
