Williams goal sees India hold Panama in FIFA international friendly

India played Panama in the first of three high-profile friendlies the All India Football Federation have lined up in lieu of competitive action at the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup.

In front of a sparsely populated Kanteerava stadium in Bengaluru, India held Panama to a creditable 1-1 draw

In theory, the game was a mismatch with India ranked 138 in the world and having failed to qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, while Panama are world no. 4 and participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

India lined up with Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in goal (and as captain), with Abhishek, Anwar Ali, Bijoy Varghese and Akash Mishra making a back four behind an attack-minded midfield of Manvir Singh, Ricky Shabong, Apuia and Ashique Kuruniyan with Vikram Pratap Singh and Ryan Williams providing the attacking thrust.

Panama, meanwhile, fielded a much-changed team hardly recognizable from the one that took the field at the World Cup.

Williams came to the fore once again, the recently naturalised Australian of Indian descent, running through on goal from a clever, chipped Akash Mishra through ball in the 41st minute and slotting it past the advancing Panama keeper to make it 1-0 with an open side foot finish.

Speaking to the host broadcasters, Sony, after the game, he said, "It was quite surprising, we didn't want to sit too far back. We wanted to try and hurt them as well. One can try and start swinging, try to score and we did that. It's come down the side, the keeper has given me so much space on the right and then, like my hero Thierry Henry, just opened up and slotted it in. He just opened it up for and there was no way I could miss it."

The lead lasted till the 68th, when the Panama side showed their class with a stunning goal, Omar Valencia unleashing from long range to leave Gurpreet stunned motionless.

The result, though, showed the Indian team in a positive light - they were determined, played calmly and made the most of an opponent who was strangely listless.

Up next for India, Brazil in Kolkata on October 3.