'It’s Really Bad Luck...': India Coach Manolo Marquez Confirms Key Player To Miss AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers

Following the Indian Football Team's stunning 3-0 triumph over the Maldives in the friendly fixture at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, Blue Tigers head coach Manolo Marquez confirmed that star player Brandon Fernandes will be missing the upcoming few matches after he sustained a possible knee injury. In the 37th minute of the friendly clash against Maldives, Brandon failed to walk off the field and had to stretch off the game.

Even though India managed to win in the friendly fixture after more than one year and three years, the Blue Tigers have suffered injury concerns in the team before the start of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. Ashish Rai, Lallianzuala Chhangte, and Manvir Singh were also released from the squad after they sustained injuries. Now, Brandon suffering a blow will be crucial for the Blue Tigers.

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While speaking at the post-match press conference, Marquez said that Brandon won’t be available in the upcoming matches. He added that it was bad luck for the Blue Tigers that three players had suffered injury in the gap of a few days. He further added that the team management would bring the injured players' replacement into the squad.

“No, for sure, Brandon won’t be available. It’s really bad luck that we lost three players in the last game in ISL, plus Manvir the other day during the break session, and today, Brandon... Yes, we will call someone. We will recover Brison, who was in the stands today. But let’s see which player,” Marquez said at the post-match press conference.

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The Blue Tigers clinched a 3-0 win over the Maldives on March 19, with the help of Rahul Bheke, Liston Colaco, and Sunil Chhetri's goal. All three goals for the Blue Tigers came from headers. It was Chhetri's 95th international goal for India. The main talking point from the friendly clash in Shillong was Sunil Chhetri, who made his international comeback after announcing his retirement from the national team back in June 2024.