The India U-23 Men’s National Team secured a 1-1 draw against their Malaysian counterparts in the second and final friendly of their Malaysian tour. The match, played at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium on March 25, 2024, saw both goals scored in the second half.
This result follows India’s 1-2 defeat in the first friendly played at the same venue last week.
A Tale of Two Halves
The first half failed to produce any goals, leaving the fans wanting more. However, the second half came alive with two goals in quick succession.
- Malaysia Takes the Lead: The home side drew first blood in the 48th minute through an unfortunate own goal by Abhishek Suryavanshi.
- India Strikes Back: The young Indian colts did not give up and fought back valiantly. Their efforts paid off in the 62nd minute when M. Thoiba Singh found the equalizer, restoring parity in the match.
Experimentation and Evaluation
Head coach Naushad Moosa opted to shuffle the starting lineup compared to the first friendly. This move aimed to provide opportunities to a wider pool of players and assess their abilities on the international stage.
“It was important to give equal opportunities to all the players,” Moosa explained. “This helped us to know the potential of the players at the international level.”
He expressed satisfaction with the players’ fitness, positive attitude, and adaptation to the desired playing style honed during their pre-tour camp in Delhi.
Looking Ahead for India U-23s
While a victory would have been ideal, the draw provides valuable insights for the Indian coaching staff as they continue to develop the U-23 team. The experience gained during this Malaysian tour will undoubtedly prove beneficial in their future endeavours.