A year ago, India’s dream of progressing to the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers took a major hit after a disappointing draw against Kuwait and a narrow defeat to Qatar. The underwhelming performances led to the sacking of head coach Igor Stimac. In his place came Manolo Marquez, a man celebrated for his stint in Indian domestic football, particularly with Hyderabad FC and more recently FC Goa.
Since his appointment, however, Marquez’s tenure has failed to inspire confidence. In seven matches under his leadership, India are yet to register a convincing performance, let alone a meaningful result. The 2–0 defeat to Thailand, ranked 99th in the FIFA rankings, on Wednesday was yet another reminder that the national team is trending in the wrong direction.
Missed Chances and Familiar Flaws
At the Thammasat Stadium, India were undone by a combination of poor finishing and defensive errors. Goals from Benjamin Davis in the 8th minute and Poramet Arjvilai in the 59th were enough to hand Thailand a deserved win. Despite having started their training camp on 19 May, India looked out of ideas and disjointed, particularly in the final third. In contrast, the Thai side had just two days of preparation following the conclusion of their domestic league.
The irony was stark. India had convincingly beaten Thailand twice five years ago, including a 4–1 win in the AFC Asian Cup 2019. But the tide has turned dramatically. Thailand’s current squad, with limited preparation time, managed to outplay and outthink India with ease, raising serious concerns about the direction the Blue Tigers are heading.
Marquez’s Comments and Tactical Concerns
After the match, Marquez was candid. “The reality is that when you don’t score, especially the clear chances that we had, usually you lose the game,” he admitted. “Thailand have very good players, and if you don’t take your chances against them, it will be difficult.”
While acknowledging the team’s shortcomings, Márquez stressed the need for self-criticism. “You can always perform better than you did previously. There is no improvement without self-criticism. I feel that we can obviously play better, but physicality is one aspect that we miss out on in Indian football.”
But such statements may no longer resonate with the fans and stakeholders, especially when results remain absent and no tactical clarity emerges.
On the Verge of Exit?
With multiple reports indicating that Marquez is set to leave the national team setup to extend his tenure with FC Goa, the coach’s commitment to the national cause has come under scrutiny. While he may have been attempting to instil his footballing philosophy, the results have shown little progress. Moreover, the experiment seems to have backfired, costing Indian football valuable time in a crucial phase.
If Marquez was uncertain about his long-term role with India, many feel he should have declined the position altogether. Indian football is in no state for long-term experiments. The team needed stability and results — neither of which have come under the Spaniard’s reign.
Also Read:Thailand defeat Blue Tigers in FIFA International Friendly
Team Selection Questions
His team selection for the Thailand friendly raised eyebrows. The exclusion of Anirudh Thapa and Sahal Abdul Samad, two players who have long been part of India’s core midfield, was met with widespread criticism.
Against Thailand, Marquez deployed Ashique Kuruniyan in the No. 10 role, a position usually reserved for creative midfielders like Sahal or Brandon Fernandes. This tactical choice left many puzzled, especially as Ashique struggled to influence the game centrally.
Similarly, Thapa, who has regularly featured for India under previous regimes, has found himself out of favour without a clear explanation. Marquez’s preference for certain players hasn’t yet been justified on the pitch, where performances have been far from convincing.
A Regional Contrast
While India stagnates, neighbouring Bangladesh appears to be entering a period of footballing resurgence. The inclusion of former Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury in the Bangladesh squad has generated significant excitement. Other overseas-based players like Shamit Shome (Canada) and Sunderland’s Mitchell Cuba are reportedly keen to follow suit.
In contrast, India continues to delay conversations around the inclusion of OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) or PIO (Persons of Indian Origin) players, a step that could potentially bolster the national team’s talent pool.
Looking Ahead
India’s next assignment is a crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier clash against Hong Kong on 10 June. Hong Kong, who recently lost 3–1 to Manchester United in an exhibition game, cannot be taken lightly.
With Sunil Chhetri potentially playing his final few matches in the national jersey, there is a growing urgency to deliver not just for qualification, but to give Indian fans something to believe in again.
The time for experiments is over. Indian football demands clarity, accountability and direction. Whether Manolo Marquez is the man to provide that or whether his imminent exit is just the beginning of another rebuild remains to be seen.
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