India and Vietnam Draw 1-1 in Friendly

In an international friendly match held at the Thien Truong Stadium in Vietnam, India's men's football team managed a 1-1 draw against the hosts. Vietnam initially took the lead in the 38th minute through Nguyen Hoang Duc, following a fumble by Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. However, Farukh Choudhary, making his return to the national team after a three-year absence, equalized in the 53rd minute with a skillful chip over the Vietnamese goalkeeper. The match showcased India's resilience, with Sandhu also saving a penalty earlier in the game. Despite the draw, India remains winless in their last 13 matches, reflecting ongoing challenges under new head coach Manolo Marquez. Both teams displayed competitive spirit, with Vietnam ranked 116th in FIFA standings, ten places above India.