India vs Maldives Football Match: Key Details and Team Insights

India will compete against the Maldives in an international friendly on March 19 at Shillong’s Polo Ground, crucial for their preparation for upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers. Sunil Chhetri’s return is a key highlight for India, aiming to end a lengthy winless streak. The match will be broadcast live on Star Sports and streamed on JioHotstar.

India and the Maldives are scheduled to confront each other in an international friendly at Shillong’s Polo Ground on March 19. Both teams are utilizing this match as part of their preparations for the forthcoming Asian Cup qualifiers. The Maldives is poised to compete against the Philippines, whereas India faces a crucial match against Bangladesh, necessitating a victory.

A notable aspect of this match is the return of Sunil Chhetri, who has come out of international retirement to enhance India’s offensive capabilities. Under the guidance of head coach Manolo Marquez, India seeks to secure its first win after a prolonged period without victory. Chhetri’s involvement has been deemed vital for the team’s performance.

India approaches this match with an urgent need for success, having last tasted victory in June 2024 against Kuwait. The team has since struggled in qualifiers for both the World Cup and the Asian Cup. Under Coach Marquez, India has recorded draws against teams like Mauritius and Vietnam, along with a significant loss to Syria, accentuating their ongoing goal-scoring troubles. Chhetri’s return is expected to be pivotal in addressing these issues as he is anticipated to partake in this match.

Conversely, the Maldives, ranked 162nd globally, has had a limited competitive experience, participating in merely two matches against Bangladesh in the last 18 months, resulting in one win and one loss. Coach Ali Suzain, who achieved success with the Maldives at the 2018 SAFF Championship, is relying on his team’s experience to deliver commendable performances. Key forward Ali Fasir remains a vital attacking asset, having scored in past fixtures against Bangladesh.

Historically, India has shown dominance over the Maldives, claiming victory in 14 out of their 16 encounters. The latest competition ended with India defeating Maldives 3-1. Notably, Maldives achieved a significant victory in the 2018 SAFF Championship final, presenting a rare triumph over their South Asian competitors.

Sunil Chhetri’s comeback is a remarkable development for the Indian national team as they prepare for this friendly matchup. Following his retirement in June 2024, Chhetri has rejoined the squad with excellent form demonstrated in the Indian Super League, where he netted 12 goals in 24 matches. Coach Marquez stated that selections for the team are based on current performance, highlighting the importance of experience and skill regardless of age.

The probable starting XI 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 the Maldives, the probable 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 vs Maldives football match is set to take place on March 19, starting at 7:00 PM IST, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on the JioHotstar app.

In summary, the upcoming friendly match between India and the Maldives is a critical opportunity for both teams to prepare for their respective Asian Cup qualifiers. With the return of Sunil Chhetri, India aims to end their winless streak and secure a much-needed victory. The Maldives, with limited recent competitive exposure, will seek to leverage their experience as they face a historically dominant Indian side. The excitement surrounding this match is heightened by the players’ potential impact and the strategies employed by both coaching staffs, promising an engaging encounter for football fans.

Original Source: www.business-standard.com