Looking back at when India last faced Mauritius

Hyderabad is prepared to usher in a new dawn for Indian football.

The Manolo Márquez era is all set to kick off for the Indian football team as they prepare to face Mauritius in the upcoming Intercontinental Cup fixture at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad.

This match marks the beginning of a new chapter for India under the guidance of Márquez, who will be looking to make an immediate impact and set the tone for his tenure. Fans are eager to see how his strategies and tactics will shape the team’s performance against a competitive Mauritius side.

When India met Mauritius back in 2017

Stephen Constantine was at the helm of the Indian football team, while Francisco Filho, a former Brazilian international, led the Mauritius national team. This was back in 2017, during a different time for both teams. Many players from that match have since retired and hung up their boots.

Who featured in the starting line-up for India?

Subrata Paul stood between the sticks as the goalkeeper for India, as the last line of defense. In front of him, the defensive duties were assigned to Narayan Das, Anas Edathodika, Sandesh Jhingan, and Pritam Kotal, who were tasked with maintaining defensive solidity and ensuring that India’s defense remained unbreached.

Jackichand Singh, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, and Rowlin Borges were entrusted with controlling the tempo and dictating play in midfield. At the same time, Robin Singh, Jeje Lalpekhlua, and Halicharan Narzary led the attacking line, responsible for finding the back of the net and ensuring a steady supply of goals against Mauritius in the opening fixture of the tri-nation series.

How did the match unfurl

Before India’s match against Mauritius at the Mumbai Football Arena, the Indian national team had enjoyed an impressive run of form, winning 13 of their last 15 international games. This match presented an opportunity to extend that record to 14 wins in 16 matches.

The Mumbai Football Arena was buzzing with energy, stacked with passionate Indian football fans and fan groups like the Blue Pilgrims who traveled from all corners of the country to support the Blue Tigers.

The underdogs Mauritius took an early lead

However, the match didn’t start as India had hoped. Despite the overwhelming support, the Indian defense faltered in the early stages, allowing Mauritius to seize the initiative.

A defensive lapse led to a deflected shot from Louis Marco Dorza, which found the back of the net, giving Mauritius an unexpected early lead. The underdogs managed to break the deadlock and put pressure on India from the start, creating a challenging atmosphere for the home team.

Robin Singh equalised for the Blue Tigers

Despite the early setback, the Indian national team, buoyed by the unwavering support of their fans, refused to dwell on their misfortune. Instead of agonizing over the conceded goal, they rallied to script a historic comeback.

With determination and resolve, India pushed forward, and their efforts paid off just before halftime. Robin Singh stepped up to the occasion, finding the back of the net to equalize for India.

His crucial goal brought the score to 1-1, ensuring that the Blue Tigers entered the halftime break on level terms and with renewed confidence. The equalizer lifted the team spirit and reinvigorated the crowd, setting the stage for an exciting second half.

Fresh legs and debutants made an instant impact

Stephen Constantine made strategic substitutions after halftime, bringing in fresh legs and giving some players the chance to showcase their abilities.

Nikhil Poojary replaced Jackie Chand Singh, Balwant Singh came on for the goalscorer Robin Singh, and Amrinder Singh took over goalkeeping duties from Subrata Paul. Constantine decided to rely on his instincts, entrusting the young players with the opportunity to make their mark on the game.

Balwant gave India a decisive lead

The substitutions paid off, as despite Mauritius’s efforts to regain control in the second half, it was Balwant Singh who gave India the decisive lead. He managed to score with a slightly mishit shot that the Mauritius goalkeeper should have saved, marking a memorable goal on his international debut with less than 20 minutes remaining.

India, revitalized by this lead, aimed to dominate the remainder of the match. Despite Mauritius’s attempts to respond, the Blue Tigers showed resilience and determination, securing a hard-earned victory.

Though there were questions about defensive stability and some tactical changes, India’s performance ultimately proved sufficient, securing a 2-1 win over Mauritius. The match highlighted both areas for improvement and the potential of India’s younger talents under Constantine’s management.

India became the champions of the Hero Tri-Nation Series

The Hero Tri-Nation Series in 2017, which replaced the Nehru Cup, concluded with India emerging as the champions. Saint Kitts and Nevis finished as the runners-up, while Mauritius secured third place.

This tournament provided India with an opportunity to showcase their footballing strength and claim victory on home soil. The competition served as a platform for regional talents to test their abilities and gain valuable international experience.

How times have changed

However, much has changed in the past seven years. After Stephen Constantine’s tenure, the Indian national team experienced an era of Igor Stimac, that lasted nearly five years. With the dawn of Manolo Márquez’s era, there is a sense of anticipation as India looks to adapt to this new chapter and aims to climb higher in the FIFA World Rankings.

This upcoming match marks Manolo Márquez’s debut as the head coach of the Indian national team, and he will undoubtedly be eager to secure a historic victory in his first outing.

While Sandesh Jhingan’s injury concerns might keep him out of the lineup, he remains one of the few players from the 2017 squad who could have started if fit.

Nikhil Poojary, who came on as a substitute in the previous match against Mauritius has now become a crucial player for the Blue Tigers and will be aiming to cement his place in the starting XI for this game.

The way forward

The attacking lineup will be refreshed with Lallianzuala Chhangte’s presence on the right wing and Liston Colaco on the left, offering a new dynamic to India’s forward play. Mohammad Yasir and Nandhakumar Sekar are the likely alternatives for the flanks.

There could also be opportunities for young talents like Vikram Pratap Singh and Manvir Singh, one of who is poised to step up as the main striker following the retirement of the iconic captain, leader, and legend Sunil Chhetri, who has passed the baton to a new generation of players to lead India’s attack.

With a mix of experienced players and promising young talents, it will be fascinating to see how India adapts to the new strategies under Márquez and whether they can achieve the desired success in this transitional phase.

🔵 PROBABLE SQUAD! 2️⃣6️⃣ players called up for Indian Senior Men’s Team Camp in Hyderabad ahead of the Intercontinental Cup 2024! 🇮🇳Who will make it to the final squad? Stay tuned as we build up to the big games! 💪🏆 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/wbXwO73HWj

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) August 21, 2024

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