India takes on Maldives in international friendly before AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers

The Blue Tigers will look to fine-tune their skills against the Maldives in the international friendly at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong on Wednesday. The Indian team will play their opening match of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers against Bangladesh on March 25.

The big news of course is the return of Sunil Chhetri, who had decided to retire in 2024 but made a U-turn on the decision after having a word with Manolo Marquez. The talisman is in splendid form as he has scored a dozen goals and has provided two assists for Bengaluru FC in the ongoing Indian Super League, thus playing a key role in the team’s qualification for the playoffs.

Under Marquez, India is yet to register their maiden win and the hosts would look to come up with a collective effort.

Current form: India: DDLDL.

Maldives: LWLDL.

Head to Head: Matches: 21, Won by India: 15, Won by Maldives: 4, Draw: 2

What did the coaches said.

“It’s a friendly game to prepare for the Asian Cup qualifier. Obviously, we want to win. We knew that the target during the previous FIFA windows was to arrive in the best possible condition for the first competitive match against Bangladesh next Tuesday,” Marquez said.

Maldives head coach Ali Suzain said: “Although we haven’t played much at the international level these days, I have been with these players for a long time. I know them very well and I know their strengths and weaknesses and how to work on them. The players also have confidence in me. Maldives is a football country. Every island has football pitches. We will give our best for the people of Maldives.”

Probable Playing XI:

India (4-2-3-1) — Kaith (GK); Valpuia, Sana, Mehtab, Bose; Suresh, Jeakson; Boris, Ashique, Brison; Yadwad.

Maldives (4-5-1) — Shareef; Samooh, Sifaau, H. Hassan, Shifaz; H. Mohamed, Mahudhee, Nihan, Irufaan, N. Hassan; Fasir.

India squad:

Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Vishal Kaith.

Defenders: Asish Rai, Boris Singh Thangjam, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia, Mehtab Singh, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Singh Naorem, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose.

Midfielders: Ashique Kuruniyan, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Brandon Fernandes, Brison Fernandes, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Lalengmawia, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Suresh Singh Wangjam.

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Farukh Choudhary, Irfan Yadwad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh.