India Held To A 1-1 Draw By Visiting Malaysia, End Year Without Win

Indian men's football team will end year without a win as it was held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Malaysia in an international friendly here on Monday, extending he coach Manolo Marquez's wait for his first victory with Blue Tigers.

A howler from seasoned goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu saw Paulo Josue put Malaysia ahe against run of play in 19th minute but Rahul Bheke cancelled out le with his 39th minute heer from a corner kick at Balayogi Stium.

Going into game, re was nothing to separate two sides in he-to-he results with India and Malaysia having won 12 matches each and eight ending in draws.

However, it was 125th-ranked India that kept bulk of possession in early part of game, seeking to crack Malaysian defence even as visitors looked to settle down.

Bolstered by return of senior player and central defender Sandesh Jhingan after almost 10 months, Indians looked to build from back through short passes and put pressure on Malaysian defence.

Manolo handed Chennaiyin FC's Irfan Yedw his India debut and deployed him as lone forward in a 4-2-3-1 formation, but his international inexperience showed as 23-year-old striker struggled to outsmart his markers, as hunt for legendary Sunil Chhetri's successor continues.

However, for all ir dominance, home side conceded match's first goal thanks to a blunder by Gurpreet who came off line and left his post unguarded for Josue to tap ball into an empty net after a clearance from Malaysian defence.

Indians did not lose heart and were on lookout for equaliser, which y found when Bheke heed in a corner kick taken by Brandon Fernandes. goal came after winger Lallianzuala Chhangte won a corner on right flank following a long ball by stopper Anwar Ali.

second half began with hosts India looking revitalised after much-needed equaliser.

Like in beginning of first half, India took control of proceedings as play resumed after break, with Chhangte delivering a fine cross into box with plenty of India players hovering but 133rd ranked Malaysians were up to task as y thwarted danger.

Both teams showed urgency to find winner but were denied, with Malaysia coming close just before final whistle.

Manolo gave chances to a lot of players who have been doing well for ir respective clubs this season.

This was India's fourth match under Manolo. Prior to this game, India drew 0-0 with Mauritius, lost 0-3 to Syria in Intercontinental Cup, and were held 1-1 by Vietnam in ir last friendly match.