India’s national football team faces the Maldives in an international friendly at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. This match will see the return of legendary striker Sunil Chhetri, following his brief retirement, as the team prepares for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. India has a superior win record against Maldives, and this match is significant as it marks Shillong’s first international football clash.
The Indian National Football Team is set to compete against the Maldives in an international friendly match on Wednesday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. This fixture will mark the return of Sunil Chhetri, India’s all-time leading goal-scorer, who has come out of retirement after head coach Manolo Marquez’s invitation.
This friendly is crucial as it serves as preparation for India’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers against Bangladesh. The Blue Tigers aim to secure their spot in the tournament, which will be hosted in Saudi Arabia. Sunil Chhetri, who has 94 goals in 151 matches for India, leads the scoring charts in the Indian Super League with 12 goals this season, contributing to his return.
The Indian squad for the match includes notable players such as Amrinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, and Sunil Chhetri himself, while the Maldives will be represented by players like Hussain Shareef and Mohamed Nizam. Both teams have a competitive history, with India holding a superior win rate against the Maldives.
Additionally, this match is particularly special as it marks the first time the Indian national team will play in Shillong, engaging with the passionate local fans at the debut international kick-off at the venue. The match is scheduled to start at 7 PM IST, and excitement is building among supporters for this significant encounter.
In summary, the upcoming match between India and the Maldives serves as an important preparatory game for the Indian National Football Team ahead of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. The return of Sunil Chhetri adds depth and experience to the squad as they seek to extend their favorable head-to-head record against Maldives. This game also highlights the significance of engaging with local fans in Shillong, as it marks the first international match in the city.
Original Source: www.news18.com
