India will face Maldives in an international friendly on March 19 at Polo Ground, Shillong, as both teams prepare for the Asian Cup qualifiers. The return of Sunil Chhetri is a highlight for India, looking for their first win under coach Manolo Marquez. Maldives has played limited matches recently, creating a competitive edge for India. Live telecast will be available on Star Sports, with streaming on JioHotstar.
On March 19, football teams India and Maldives will engage in an international friendly match at Polo Ground in Shillong, marking an important preparatory encounter ahead of their respective Asian Cup qualifiers. India faces Bangladesh, while Maldives is set to compete against the Philippines. The match is significant as it showcases the return of Sunil Chhetri, who recently unretired to bolster India’s offensive capabilities, amid a quest for their first victory under head coach Manolo Marquez.
India seeks a crucial win following a lengthy period without success, having last triumphed in June 2024 against Kuwait. Since then, they have drawn matches against Mauritius, Vietnam, and Malaysia, and suffered a heavy defeat to Syria. The team continues to struggle with goal-scoring, making Chhetri’s pivotal return essential. Marquez has indicated that Chhetri will contribute in some capacity, whether starting or coming off the bench.
Maldives, ranked 162nd globally, has played only two competitive matches in the past 18 months, resulting in one victory and one defeat to Bangladesh. This limited experience could hinder their performance against India as they prepare for their own Asian Cup qualifiers. Coach Ali Suzain, who guided Maldives to the SAFF Championship title in 2018, will rely on his squad’s experience, particularly key forward Ali Fasir, who has scored in both recent matches against Bangladesh.
Historically, India has outperformed Maldives in their encounters, securing 14 of their last 16 matches. Their most recent meeting resulted in a 3-1 victory for India, although Maldives achieved a notable win in the 2018 SAFF Championship final.
Sunil Chhetri’s anticipated return marks a significant moment for India. After briefly retiring, he has returned ahead of the matchup with Maldives to prepare for the impending qualifier against Bangladesh on March 25. Chhetri, having scored 12 goals in 24 matches in the Indian Super League, is expected to feature in the match, although his exact role has yet to be confirmed. Coach Manolo Marquez emphasized the selection of players based on current form, regardless of their age.
The probable starting eleven for India includes Vishal Kaith (GK), Subhasish Bose, Sandesh Jhingan, Rahul Bheke, Naorem Roshan Singh, Apuia, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Brandon Fernandes, Irfan Yadwad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, and Sunil Chhetri. For Maldives, the lineup could feature Hussain Shareef (GK), Hussain Sifaau, Samooh Ali, Mohamed Irufaan, Hassan Shifaz, Ibrahim Mahudhee, Hussain Nihan, Ahmed Aiham, Mohamed Naim, Hassan Naiz, and Ali Fasir.
The friendly match between India and Maldives is set to take place on March 19 at 7:00 PM IST at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. Fans can watch the live telecast through the Star Sports network, while live streaming will be available on the JioHotstar app.
The upcoming friendly match between India and Maldives not only serves as a preparation for Asian Cup qualifiers but also spotlights the return of key player Sunil Chhetri. With India desperate for a win after a long stretch without victory and Maldives’s limited recent match experience, the encounter is poised to be significant for both sides. Fans can follow the match live on Star Sports and JioHotstar, ensuring they do not miss a moment of this important fixture.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
