Shillong, Sep 25: India had plenty to feel good about as they held world No. 44 Panama to a 1-1 draw today in Bengaluru in the first of three international friendlies that the Blue Tigers will host.
Panama played in the World Cup just a could of months ago and featured several players from that campaign in this evening match.
Australia-born Ryan Williams put India into the lead in the 41st minute but Omar Valencia equalised in the 68th to restore parity and ensure that Panama didn’t face the humiliation of losing to 138th-ranked India.
Meghalaya’s Ricky John Shabong (pictured No. 15) was given a start by head coach Khalid Jamil and played until the 73rd minute when he was subbed.
This was India’s first match in Bengaluru since winning the SAFF Championship at the same venue in 2023.
India’s goal came about after Akash Mishra played a long ball forward and Ryan timed his run behind the Panama defence well before keeping his composure to beat goalkeeper Marcos Reyes and put the hosts 1-0 up.
The visitors eventually found their equaliser in the 68th minute when Valencia struck from outside the box to make it 1-1.
India will meet Brazil in the next friendly in Kolkata on 3rd October followed by a game against Uruguay on 6th October.
India today: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Anwar Ali, Bijoy Varghese, Akash Mishra (sub Pramveer 90’), Vikram Partap Singh (sub Edmund Lalrindika 73’), Lalengmawia Ralte, Ricky Shabong (sub Anirudh Thapa 73’), Ashique Kuruniyan (sub Jay Gupta 85’), Ryan Williams (sub Sahal Abdul Samad 73’), Manvir Singh
(Photo: Indian Football Team/Facebook)