Blue Tigers Set to Roar in Hyderabad: Intercontinental Cup Returns

The Indian men's football team, under new head coach Manolo Marquez, will compete in the Intercontinental Cup in Hyderabad after a 16-year hiatus. From September 3 to 9, India will face Mauritius and Syria at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium as they aim for future AFC Asian Cup qualification.

The Indian men's football team, known as the Blue Tigers, is gearing up for the fourth edition of the Intercontinental Cup, to be held in Hyderabad from September 3 to 9 at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium. The team will face Mauritius and Syria in this prestigious event, making their first return to the Telangana capital in 16 years.

Following a disappointing exit in the second round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in June, newly-appointed head coach Manolo Marquez is looking to rebuild. His long-term goal is to lead India to qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, which kicks off in March 2025. To ensure a smoother path, Marquez stressed the importance of strong performances in the upcoming FIFA International Match Windows, aiming to keep India's place in Pot 1 before December's draw.

With just two training sessions before their opening match against Mauritius on Tuesday, September 3, at 19:30, Marquez has named a 26-member squad that includes fresh faces and returning players. Key players returning include Chinglensana Singh Konsham and Yasir Mohammad, while newcomers like Kiyan Nassiri Giri and Lalthathanga Khawlhring are poised for their senior debuts. India's Intercontinental Cup history is promising, with triumphs in the 2018 and 2022 editions.

Syria, the highest-ranked team in this tournament, recently appointed Jose Lana as their head coach. Their last-minute defeat to Korea DPR and a heavy loss to Japan in June dashed their World Cup hopes. Mauritius, led by French coach Guillaume Moullec, also have a recent history of mixed results and will be looking to make their mark in the tournament.

(With inputs from agencies.)