How to Watch India vs Malaysia Friendly Match: Telecast Details and Streaming Details

The Indian men’s football team, known as the Blue Tigers, is set to return to the international stage in an exciting friendly against Malaysia on November 18, 2024.

As preparations continue for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, this friendly in Hyderabad is a critical opportunity for India to test their squad and strategies under the guidance of head coach Manolo Márquez. With both teams ranked closely, India at 125 and Malaysia at 133, the match promises to be a fiercely contested encounter. Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch the game and the background on both teams leading up to this match.

Telecast Details

Fans can look forward to watching the action live on Sports18 and JioCinema.

• Date: November 18, 2024
• Venue: GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Hyderabad
• Live Coverage: Available on Sports18 and JioCinema
• Time: To be confirmed closer to the date

Sports enthusiasts can catch all the action live on Sports18 or via streaming on JioCinema. For those following from overseas, be sure to check the match timings in your respective time zones to avoid missing this thrilling encounter.

India’s Preparation for the Malaysia Friendly

The Blue Tigers, currently ranked 125 in the FIFA rankings, have had a mixed run under the leadership of head coach Manolo Márquez. In their last match, India fought hard to secure a 1-1 draw against Vietnam, showcasing notable improvements. Despite two draws and a loss since Márquez took over in July, the Indian side is gradually building momentum as they approach the third round of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers set for March 2025.

Reflecting on the progress, Márquez stated, “I decided a long time ago to play only one game in the (November) window. Everyone knows that national teams don’t get enough time to train. I feel we’re still in the beginning stage. This is only going to be our fourth game. My feeling is that the improvement in the last game was big and we need to continue in this line.”

Recent Encounters and the Significance of the Match

The upcoming match against Malaysia will be the first meeting between these two sides since the Merdeka Cup semi-final in October 2023, where India was defeated 4-2. This friendly, therefore, holds added importance as it presents an opportunity for India to avenge their recent loss and gain a confidence boost ahead of the qualifiers.

Márquez, reflecting on the team’s recent performances and the upcoming match, shared, “Everyone wants to win every game. But the feeling we got after the draw with Vietnam was completely different from what we got after drawing with Mauritius or losing to Syria. In some moments, we played superb. The one key thing is that the players have to believe in our style of play. I want to win every game and even every training session.”

Key Changes in India’s Lineup

For this friendly, Márquez has introduced some fresh faces, continuing his trend of testing new talent in each FIFA window. New call-ups include Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Vibin Mohanan, Irfan Yadwad, and Thoiba Singh Moirangthem. The latter joined the squad as a last-minute replacement for Anirudh Thapa, who was sidelined due to an injury sustained in the match between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Odisha FC.

“We want to check some new players. But obviously, it’s impossible to change the whole group and call 40 players in March,” noted Márquez. “It means that we have maybe 14, 15, 16 players who will be there, but we don’t know exactly. There are a lot of players who can get there. It’s still four months, and the situation can change with a lot of things unfortunately with injuries and the players’ domestic form.”

Challenges for Márquez and the Importance of Training

The decision to play a single friendly in November rather than a series was a calculated move by Márquez, allowing the team more time to train. National teams rarely get extended training periods, and Márquez wants to make the most of this time to solidify tactics and evaluate player chemistry.

“We were supposed to play two games last month but due to external reasons, Lebanon couldn’t come. For people, more games are better. But it’s difficult to train the day before and after the match. We need to train tactically as well. I feel it’s necessary to prepare for not just the game against Malaysia but the official matches which will come in March,” Márquez commented.

Despite some early setbacks, Márquez remains focused on the long-term vision for the team. He aims to build a cohesive and adaptable squad ready to take on the challenges of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

What to Expect from the Match Against Malaysia

India will look to turn their recent improvements into a victory against Malaysia, which could serve as a morale booster and help build momentum ahead of the Asian Cup qualifiers. As Márquez noted, the players are amidst the Indian Super League season, making it a unique challenge to bring the squad together for this solitary international fixture in November.

“In a way, it’s a dangerous game because the players are in the middle of the fight for the ISL and this is just one friendly game in November, and the next camp will be in four months. But I am very confident in this group and I feel we will have a good performance next Monday,” he said.

For India, the match against Malaysia is more than just a friendly; it’s an opportunity to build team cohesion, test new players, and continue the tactical evolution under Márquez. As fans tune in on November 18, the Blue Tigers will be eager to secure their first win under their new head coach and prove that their hard work on the training ground is starting to pay off.

With live coverage available on Sports18 and JioCinema, football fans can watch the Indian team in action and see if they can capitalize on their recent improvements to deliver a promising performance against Malaysia.

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