The Indian men’s football team began its new chapter under Spanish head coach Manolo Marquez with a goalless draw against Mauritius in the opening match of the Intercontinental Cup at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium on Tuesday. This match marks the start of India’s quest to defend its title in the tournament, now in its fourth edition. Despite dominating possession, India struggled to break down a resolute Mauritius side, highlighting the challenges Marquez's team faces moving forward.

**India Begins Title Defense with Goalless Stalemate**

India, the two-time champion and current titleholder, started its Intercontinental Cup campaign with a 0-0 draw against Mauritius. The Blue Tigers, despite controlling the tempo, were unable to convert their dominance into goals, a concern that will need addressing as they aim to retain their crown.

**Tri-Nation Format Introduces New Dynamics**

This year’s Intercontinental Cup features a tri-nation format, departing from the traditional four-team setup. India is joined by Mauritius and Syria, the latter being the highest-ranked team in the tournament. Syria, ranked 93rd, returns to the competition after last participating in 2019, adding a formidable challenge for the other teams.

**Mauritius’ Defensive Resilience Earns a Valuable Point**

Mauritius, ranked 179th, displayed commendable defensive discipline, frustrating India’s attempts to score. Despite India’s ten shots to Mauritius’ eight, both teams managed only one shot on target each, underlining the lack of clear-cut chances. Mauritius’ strategy of sitting deep and counter-attacking nearly paid off, as they exploited occasional lapses in India’s defense.

**India’s Attacking Struggles Evident Despite Possession**

India controlled possession but lacked the incisiveness needed in the final third. Moments of carelessness in defense nearly cost them, with slips from Asish Rai and Lalengmawia gifting opportunities to Mauritius. However, Mauritius failed to capitalize, with their best chances either missed or comfortably dealt with by goalkeeper Amrinder Singh.

**Chhangte’s Spark Shifts Momentum**

As the first half wore on, India began to show more urgency, particularly through the right side with Asish Rai and Lallianzuala Chhangte becoming more involved. In the 35th minute, Manvir Singh tested Mauritius’ goalkeeper Kevin Jean-Louis with a left-footed strike, but the shot was saved. Chhangte’s long-range effort also signaled a shift in momentum, though it ultimately missed the target.

**Mauritius Misses Golden Opportunities**

Mauritius had their chances, most notably when Dyllan Collard set up Emmanuel Vincent, whose powerful shot narrowly cleared the crossbar. Despite these opportunities, Mauritius couldn’t find the breakthrough, leaving both teams to share the spoils in a hard-fought draw.

This opening match, while ending in a stalemate, has set the stage for what promises to be a competitive Intercontinental Cup, with India needing to refine their approach if they hope to defend their title successfully.