India draw Panama 1-1 in friendly as Ryan Williams scores before Omar Valencia equalises

Bengaluru: A spirited India surrendered their slender lead but still had plenty to feel good about as they held world No. 44 Panama to a 1-1 draw in a FIFA International friendly here on Friday.94 PLACES BELOW, BUT TOE-TO-TOE WITH GIANTS! Absolute tactical masterclass at Bengaluru: World No. 138 India has pulled off an incredible, hard-fought 1-1 draw against FIFA World Cup 2026 team and 44th-ranked PanamaThis is the first time in 7 long years (since holding Asian… pic.twitter.com/Y0dt7vWcjw— Anil Bansal (@dilseanilbansal) September 25, 2026 The draw against a country that played the FIFA World Cup only a couple of months back and had a number of players from that tournament in its ranks will certainly be rated as the best under head coach Khalid Jamil.For India, Ryan Williams, Australian of Indian descent, struck in the 41st minute but Omar Valencia equalised in the 68th minute to restore parity and ensure that Panama didn't face the ignominy of a defeat against a country that is 138th in the FIFA listings despite crazy following of the sport.Ryan Williams gave up his Australian Passport (one of the strongest in the world) to become an Indian citizen & play for #IndianFootball Team.Today, he scored the important goal to help India hold WORLD CUP Nation Panama to HISTORIC 1-1 Draw!HERO pic.twitter.com/XXWujz9hMF— Indian Football Updates (@IndianFootyBest) September 25, 2026 The draw will also keep the morale high of the Indian team that will play the toughest ever opposition in country's footballing history -- five-time World Cup champions Brazil in the next friendly in Kolkata on October 3 followed by a game against two-time world champions Uruguay on October 6.Refreshingly, under Khalid Jamil, India didn't just fall back and try to defend against a formidable team. The Indian defence, especially stopper Anwar Ali had a brilliant game.Throughout the game, India's wide left kept the Panama defenders busy and one such move saw Williams, the former Australia international, who now holds an Indian passport, score the opening.⚽️INDIA HOLD 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP-BOUND PANAMA TO A DRAW IN INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY In an international friendly in Bengaluru, WR138 India held a 1⃣-1⃣ draw against WR44 PanamaRyan Williams scored the goal in first half but Panama equalized in secondpic.twitter.com/VIH5gaqs8Q— SPORTS ARENA (@SportsArena1234) September 25, 2026 It was a throw-in from left lateral back Akash Mishra -- who played a quick one-two with fellow defender Bijoy Verghese and then passed a long ball -- which found a sprinting Williams beat the Panama defense with a splitting run.The angular left-footer was precise and it beat a surging Marcos Reyes to land into the back of the net.Down by a goal, Panama coach Thomas Christiansen made a few changes in the second half and in the 68th minute found the equaliser, thanks to a brilliant dipping left-footer from Major League Soccer player Omar Valencia.Valencia lined up for the shot Lalengmawia tried to close in but he was a split second late. Valencia's shot had power and veteran Indian custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was a mere onlooker as the ball entered the net.Hardik Pandya Suffers Fresh Right Shin Injury, Ruled Out Of Australia A Series And New Zealand White-Ball Tour However Jamil didn't allow his men to shut shop and just go on defending, a habit that has been the bane of this outfit against tougher opposition.Ashique Kuruniyan was a livewire on the wide left as he made some incisive runs with Williams trying to keep the pressure from his left-in position.The best chance that India lost was when Ashique whipped a low cross from the left and Edmund made a mess of it it in the 79th minute.Two minutes later, Edmund entered from the right and kept an assist for Manvir Singh, who instead of an easy tap tried to push it in with back heel and missed.Indian defense was also tested as Panama tried to score the winner but Anwar averted the danger and then Gurpreet saved a shot from World Cupper Carlos Harvey.(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

India held World Cup participants Panama to a 1-1 draw in a memorable FIFA friendly at Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Ryan Williams gave India the lead in the 41st minute before Omar Valencia equalised with a long-range strike in the 67th. Despite Panama dominating possession, India defended strongly and created chances, giving coach Khalid Jamil an encouraging result.

A spirited India surrendered their slender lead but still had plenty to feel good about as they held world No. 44 Panama to a 1-1 draw in a FIFA International friendly in Bengaluru on Friday.

India vs Panama Highlights, International Friendly: India secured a stunning 1-1 draw against No. 44-ranked Panama at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday.