Football

India to Host Malaysia in International Friendly at Hyderabad’s Gachibowli Stadium on November 18

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Wednesday that India will face Malaysia in an international friendly on November 18 at Hyderabad’s Gachibowli Stadium. The match, initially slated for November 19, will take place during the upcoming FIFA international window, offering fans a glimpse of competitive action before key qualifiers next year.

India, currently ranked 125th in FIFA’s global standings, will look to redeem itself against Malaysia, ranked slightly lower at 133rd. The two sides last met in October during the Merdeka Cup semifinals in Kuala Lumpur, where Malaysia defeated India 4-2 in a hard-fought match. This friendly provides the Blue Tigers an opportunity to even the score and gain valuable practice as they build up to future tournaments.

The game will also mark a return to Hyderabad’s Gachibowli Stadium for India’s national team. The venue hosted the Intercontinental Cup in September, where India’s performance was mixed—a goalless draw against Mauritius and a 3-0 defeat to Syria. Head coach Manolo Marquez will aim to improve on those results as he continues to refine the squad’s tactics and cohesion.

Since the Merdeka Cup, India’s latest outing was an away match against Vietnam on October 12, where the Blue Tigers managed a 1-1 draw. The match demonstrated India’s resilience, as they held their own against a higher-ranked opponent, showing glimpses of solid defense and effective counter-attacks. Marquez hopes to build on this performance, using the Malaysia game as a crucial warm-up.

This upcoming clash against Malaysia will test India’s defensive strategies and goal-scoring capabilities. For fans, the friendly is a chance to see young talents in action. 

Meanwhile, Marquez is expected to experiment with his lineup, possibly giving opportunities to emerging players from the Indian Super League (ISL) who could strengthen the squad ahead of World Cup and AFC qualifiers.

Tickets are expected to draw strong interest, with Hyderabad’s football fan base eager to support their team on home soil. The fixture adds to the AIFF’s recent efforts to bolster India’s international presence by organizing more friendlies and competitive matches against a variety of international opponents.

The November 18 match against Malaysia offers India a chance to reset and focus, while fans will be hoping to see an improved Blue Tigers side on the road to higher international standings.

About the Author


Written by DafaNews

DafaNews brings you the most highlighted news in the world of Sports. It serves you up-to-date matches, scores, live streams, fantasy games and quizzes. Our news covers India's prestigious leagues and events – Premier League, Pro Kabbadi League, Cricket World Cup and many more. Follow DafaNews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,Telegram and Youtube for more updates.

Related Post
Share
Published by
DafaNews

Recent Posts

India vs England 3rd ODI: Struggling England must find right balance against dominant Indians

India delivered a phenomenal performance in the second ODI, led brilliantly by the skipper. It's … Read More

February 11, 2025

Khalid Jamil says performance was not up to the mark after loss against Bengaluru FC

Jamshedpur FC head coach Khalid Jamil was not impressed with his team’s performance after suffering… Read More

February 11, 2025

Novak Djokovic makes honest admission about why he is still playing

Novak Djokovic has achieved almost everything in the record books. He has 24 Grand Slams… Read More

February 11, 2025

Liverpool’s Arne Slot calls shock FA Cup exit ‘unacceptable’

Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot has called the shock FA Cup exit as unacceptable. The Reds… Read More

February 11, 2025

Gerard Zaragoza expresses delight after much-needed win against Jamshedpur FC

Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza was delighted after a comprehensive 3-0 win against Jamshedpur… Read More

February 11, 2025

Luka Doncic scores 14 in 24 minutes in debut win with Lakers

After the shock trade, Luka Doncic finally made his debut for the Los Angeles Lakers.… Read More

February 11, 2025