India to Face Maldives in FIFA Friendly Ahead of Asian Cup Qualifiers

The Indian senior men’s football team is set to take on Maldives in a FIFA International Friendly at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Wednesday. The match serves as a crucial preparation for head coach Manolo Márquez’s side ahead of their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier against Bangladesh on March 25.

For the first time in history, the Blue Tigers will play an international match in Shillong, a venue known for its passionate football culture. Márquez, who took charge as India’s head coach in July 2024, expressed his excitement about the venue.

“It is the first time we are playing here, but I have worked with a lot of coaches and players from here. I knew it’s a very nice place. I remember when I watched the Durand Cup in Shillong last year, I said, ‘Wow, the ground, crowd, atmosphere, everything is nice.’ I’m not joking, I said it’d be great if one day, the national team could play here,” he shared in the pre-match press conference.

The match also marks the highly anticipated return of Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri, who will feature in his first game since announcing his international comeback. Márquez confirmed that Chhetri, set to earn his 152nd cap, will play at least some minutes.

“For sure, Sunil will play some minutes. I don’t know whether as a starter or from the bench. We can use six substitutions, so 17 players can play, and I think Sunil will be one of them,” said Márquez.

The coach also emphasized that player selection will be based purely on form, regardless of age.

“He is the Indian player with the most goals this season. It doesn’t matter if a player is 20, 40, or my grandfather at 87. If they are in better shape, they will be here. The national team is not about developing players. Developed players have to arrive here. The main team needs to win games. And if we need to win games, we need to call players who are in better shape,” he added.

Maldives Preparing for Asian Cup Qualifiers

India’s opponents, Maldives, ranked 162 in the world—36 places below India—will also use the match as preparation for their crucial Asian Cup qualifier against the Philippines on March 25.

Maldives head coach Ali Suzain acknowledged the significance of the friendly.

“Thank you for the hospitality here. We’re playing the Philippines on the 25th, so it’s a preparation match for us. But it’s an important one since India and Maldives are two strong sides in this region. I hope it will be a good fight,” he said.

Despite limited international action recently, Suzain expressed confidence in his squad.

“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,” he added.

With both teams looking to fine-tune their squads ahead of key qualification matches, the clash in Shillong promises to be a competitive and exciting encounter.