India will face the Maldives in an international friendly in Shillong, marking Sunil Chhetri’s return after a brief retirement. This match is vital for India’s preparation for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. Chhetri leads the Indian squad, which has a strong historical advantage against the Maldives.
On Wednesday, the Indian National Football Team will face the Maldives in an international friendly match at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. The significant event marks the return of Sunil Chhetri, India’s all-time leading goal-scorer and veteran striker, who reversed his earlier retirement decision following a request from head coach Manolo Marquez.
This friendly serves as preparation ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers against Bangladesh, where India aims to secure its spot in the tournament to be hosted in Saudi Arabia. Chhetri, aged 40, returns after an impressive season in the Indian Super League 2024-25, leading the scoring with 12 goals in 24 appearances. He has a total of 94 goals in 151 matches with the national team, ranking fourth among the all-time top international goal-scorers.
The Indian squad includes key players like Amrinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, and Farukh Choudhary, among others. The probable XI for India features Vishal Kaith as goalkeeper and Chhetri in the attack. In contrast, the Maldives squad is represented by players such as Hussain Shareef and Mohamed Irufaan.
India holds a significantly better win rate in head-to-head encounters against the Maldives, which adds to the anticipation for this match. Additionally, this match is particularly memorable as it will be the first international fixture held in front of the passionate fans in Shillong, marking a notable debut for the local audience.
The India vs Maldives friendly serves as not only a return for Sunil Chhetri but also as crucial preparation for upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. India’s historical advantage over the Maldives in previous matches is a factor to consider, while the event is also significant for the new venue in Shillong. Fans are eagerly awaiting this exciting international clash.
Original Source: www.news18.com
