India will play Maldives in an international friendly on March 19 at Shillong’s Polo Ground, as both teams prepare for upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers. Sunil Chhetri returns to strengthen India’s attack. India seeks its first victory in over a year, while Maldives aims to overcome a lack of recent competitive experience. The match will begin at 7:00 PM IST with live coverage available on Star Sports and streaming on JioHotstar.
On March 19, India will face Maldives in an international friendly at Shillong’s Polo Ground, both teams preparing for upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers. India will play Bangladesh, while Maldives faces the Philippines. A significant aspect is the return of Sunil Chhetri from international retirement, seeking to strengthen India’s attack. Chhetri’s involvement could be crucial since India has not won under head coach Manolo Marquez.
India has struggled, aiming for a victory over a year since they last won against Kuwait in June 2024. Under Marquez’s leadership, the team has drawn matches against Mauritius, Vietnam, and Malaysia, and suffered a defeat to Syria, indicating persistent scoring difficulties, heightening the significance of Chhetri’s comeback.
Maldives, currently ranked 162nd globally, has played only two matches in the past 18 months against Bangladesh, achieving one win and one loss. This lack of competitive exposure may hinder their performance in the qualifiers. Coach Ali Suzain, who previously led Maldives to the 2018 SAFF Championship title, will rely on his players’ experience in this match. Forward Ali Fasir remains a key asset as he scored in their last games against Bangladesh.
Historically, India has dominated the matchup, winning 14 of 16 encounters. Their last meeting resulted in a 3-1 victory for India, although Maldives has had notable success, most significantly in the 2018 SAFF Championship final.
Chhetri, who returned to the national team after a year, is in excellent form from his stint in the Indian Super League. The coach emphasized that the selection will prioritize players in peak condition to contribute to the team’s success. His role in the match is yet to be confirmed.
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, likely starters are 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 India-Maldives football friendly is set to kick off at 7:00 PM IST on March 19 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. Star Sports will provide live telecast, while viewers can stream through the JioHotstar app.
The upcoming friendly match between India and Maldives is crucial for both teams as they prepare for Asian Cup qualifiers. Sunil Chhetri’s return is highly anticipated, potentially impacting India’s goal-scoring capabilities. While India seeks to end their long wait for a victory, Maldives, with limited recent competitive play, will aim to leverage their experience for a competitive edge. The match details are set, ensuring fans can follow their teams through various telecast and streaming options.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
