India head coach Manolo Marquez keen on building winning momentum with victory over Thailand

The Blue Tigers are going to face the War Elephants on Wednesday.

Indian Football Team head coach Manolo Marquez is gunning to face Thailand in the upcoming international friendly ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers against Hong Kong. The June 4 fixture serves as a vital preparatory test for their respective AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying campaigns.

A strong performance for Indian Football Team will build steam for Manolo Marquez and his men before their key encounter against Hong Kong. Ahead of the big game, Manolo Marquez and winger Lallianzuala Chhangte addressed the media in a pre-match press conference, outlining their objectives, tactical focus, and the significance of the upcoming game.

Manolo Marquez is expecting a win over Thailand

While acknowledging that both India and Thailand are using this friendly to gear up for more important qualifiers, he stated, “We are preparing for Hong Kong, and Thailand is preparing for Turkmenistan. It’s a good game because both teams are in a similar situation.”

The Blue Tigers are going to be facing the 99th-placed Thailand side, who have recorded two wins and two draws in 2025. While the focus will be on their upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers campaign, Manolo Marquez will be keen to focus on Thailand first.

The Spaniard doesn’t care about the past meetings

The Spaniard also downplayed historical results, despite India winning their last two head-to-head meetings against Thailand. Manolo Marquez also admitted to hearing about their notable 4–1 win over the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, but admitted the situations were different.

He stated, “I was not there, and every game is different. That match happened years ago; the context now is completely different. We’ve just finished our domestic seasons, and this is more of an off-season phase…But of course, we are here with the intention to win.”

When asked about veteran striker Sunil Chhetri and his memories of past fixtures against Thailand, Manolo Marquez responded that players often recall such games, but emphasised that the upcoming game is not likely to have the same outcome.

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Chhangte and India are focused ahead of the Thailand encounter

Lallianzuala Chhangte is coming off an impressive season with Mumbai City FC, and stressed on team India’s commitment to delivering a strong performance. He stated, “We’ve been working really hard. Everyone is focused and motivated. We take this game seriously, and we want to win.”

Chhangte also acknowledged Thailand’s strengths, especially their quick transitions and technical ability on the ball. He revealed, “They are a good side both offensively and defensively. But our focus is on ourselves. If we execute our plan, we can definitely win.”

India is wary of the threat posed by Thailand

While emphasising the importance of a win against Thailand, Chhangte stated, “Yes, absolutely. A win would give us belief and momentum. But we also know Thailand is fast and sharp in attack. We’ve studied them and are well aware of the space they can exploit.”

While praising the Thai squad’s composition, featuring a blend of youth and experience, Chhangte admitted, “They have a good mix of young and senior players. They’ve been doing well recently. We’ve analyzed their past few games. If we give them space, they will hurt us — so we’re prepared for that.”

Marquez has a special message for the Blue Pilgrims

As the press conference came to a close, Manolo Marquez delivered a message to fans, encouraging support for the team. The Blue Pilgrims have been a vital cheet squad for team India and will be called upon against Thailand.

He stated, “Every footballer wants to play in full stadiums. I know it’s not easy for friendlies, but I hope people come. I was at the Buriram vs Lampung Warriors final, the atmosphere was fantastic. That’s why we play football, for that kind of energy.”

The game was more than just a friendly, it’s a crucial encounter ahead of competitive action against Hong Kong. With both Manolo Marquez and Chhangte exuding calm confidence and clarity, the Blue Tigers appear ready for the Thailand test.

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