Today at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium(Hyderabad), the Indian senior team played the opening match of the 2024 Intercontinental Cup against Mauritius who’s FIFA ranking is 179. However, the Blue Tigers couldn’t break the deadlock, and the match ended with a nil-nil score.
Today, Manolo Marquez Roca made his debut as the head coach of the Indian national football team. India’s game seemed attacking at the start of the match, as they created many chances but couldn’t find the net. In the 26th minute, Blue Tigers built up a good move from the right flank, with Ashish Rai crossing the ball, but Mauritius’s defense managed to clear it, conceding a corner.
In the 35th minute, Anirudh Thapa passed a defense-splitting through ball to Manvir, but his shot was saved by the Mauritius keeper. It was a golden chance for the Blue Tigers. The first half ended with no goals from either side. Ball control was in favor of Blur Tigers, but Mauritius managed a few counterattacks at times.
The second half followed the same pattern, with no goals. Both teams attempted attacks and counterattacks. Mauritius looked more attacking in the second half, but they also couldn’t find the net. The match ended with dominant ball possession in favor of Blue Tigers. Both teams took several shots, but each only managed one shot on target.
India will play their next game against Syria on September 9, and Mauritius will play on September 6.
Match Highlights
Key stats India vs Mauritius:
BALL POSSESSION: IND 65%, MRI 35%
SHOTS: IND 10, MRI 8
SHOTS ON TARGET: IND 1, MRI 1
YELLOW CARD: IND 0, MRI 0
CORNERS: IND 5, MRI 3
OFFSIDES: IND 0, MRI 2
