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The appointment of Manolo Marquez as the head coach of the Indian football team has brought in some good news and excitement among fans. With the retirement of Sunil Chhetri, who has been the team's backbone for decades, the Blue Tigers are entering a new era of transformation.
The fans are eagerly awaiting how this new chapter of Indian football will unfold, especially with the new boss at the helm.
After a series of disappointing performances in the World Cup qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup, India has dropped to the 124th position in the FIFA rankings. In response, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) quickly parted ways with Igor Stimac, who had been the head coach for five years. Now, under Marquez's guidance, the team is looking to bounce back.
The Blue Tigers are set to face off against Vietnam and Lebanon in a crucial tri-nation-friendly tournament in October. They will play Vietnam on October 9, followed by a game against familiar foes Lebanon on October 12.
This tournament comes at a pivotal moment for the Indian football team. Both Vietnam and Lebanon are ranked higher than India, occupying the 116th and 117th spots in the FIFA rankings, respectively. Despite this, the Blue Tigers are determined to use this opportunity to regain their form and improve their standings.
Indian football tri-nation-friendly tournament schedule
With Marquez at the helm, India will aim to showcase a rejuvenated and more competitive side. The upcoming matches will be a test of the new strategies and changes implemented by the new coach. The team's first match against Vietnam on October 9 will mark the debut of Marquez’s tenure as the coach of the Indian football team.
The Tri-nation-friendly fixtures are as follows:
- October 9: Vietnam vs India
- October 12: India vs Lebanon
- October 15: Vietnam vs Lebanon
