India vs Maldives Football Friendly: Match Details and Insights

India will face Maldives in an international friendly on March 19 at Shillong’s Polo Ground, serving as preparation for Asian Cup qualifiers. Sunil Chhetri’s return is significant for India, aiming for a victory after a year without wins. Maldives, ranked 162nd, has limited competitive experience in recent months. The match begins at 7:00 PM IST, broadcasted on Star Sports and streamed on JioHotstar.

India will compete against Maldives in an international friendly match on March 19 at Shillong’s Polo Ground. This matchup serves as preparation for their respective Asian Cup qualifiers, with India set to face Bangladesh and Maldives scheduled to play against the Philippines. The return of forward Sunil Chhetri, who has come out of international retirement, is a significant development for India’s plans as they seek a long-awaited victory.

India has not celebrated a win in over a year, with their last victory occurring in June 2024 against Kuwait. Under head coach Manolo Marquez, the team has recorded draws against Mauritius, Vietnam, and Malaysia, alongside a heavy defeat to Syria. The absence of goals has become a considerable challenge, heightening the importance of Chhetri’s return, as confirmed by Coach Marquez, who indicated that Chhetri would participate in the match, whether starting or coming off the bench.

In contrast, Maldives, currently ranked 162nd globally, has only played two matches in the last 18 months, both against Bangladesh, with one victory and one defeat. Coach Ali Suzain will rely on the experience of his squad to bolster their performance ahead of Asian Cup qualifiers. Key forward Ali Fasir, who scored in both encounters with Bangladesh, remains the primary attacking force for Maldives.

Historically, India has an upper hand over Maldives, winning 14 out of their 16 encounters. The most recent meeting ended with a 3-1 victory for India, although Maldives achieved a remarkable win in the 2018 SAFF Championship final, marking a rare triumph against this regional rival.

Sunil Chhetri’s return to the Indian national team comes after his retirement in June 2024. His participation is critical ahead of the impending Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh on March 25. Given his impressive record of 12 goals in 24 matches within the Indian Super League, Chhetri is projected to play significant minutes during the match, as Coach Marquez emphasized the selection of players based on form irrespective of 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. Conversely, the Maldives’ starting lineup is expected to consist of 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 upcoming friendly between India and Maldives is set to be a crucial encounter as both teams prepare for their respective Asian Cup qualifiers. With Sunil Chhetri’s anticipated return to action and India’s quest for victory after a lengthy winless streak, the match promises to be a compelling showdown. The historical dominance of India against Maldives also adds an intriguing layer, as both teams look to solidify their positions for future competitions.

Original Source: www.business-standard.com