IND Vs MDV, International Friendly Highlights: India Beat Maldives 3-0 In Shillong As Sunil Chhetri Scores In His Comeback Match

The International Friendly match between India and Maldives will start at 7:00 pm IST. The match will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Polo Ground) in Shillong, Meghalaya on Wednesday, 19 March 2025.

The live streaming of the India Vs Maldives, International Friendly match will be available on the JioHotstar app and website.

Live telecast of the India Vs Maldives, International Friendly match will be available on the Star Sports 3 channel.

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.

Maldives' national anthem was played first then followed India's Jana-Gana-Mana. Sunil Chhetri has the armband and he will be leading the Indian side. Vishal Kaith is doing the goalkeeping for India. Ayush Chhetri is making his international debut.

The match started with the referee's whistle. Shillong is hosting their first senior international football match. Indian players have managed to get the hold on the ball for the first few minutes. There was a chance for India, but Maldives keeper managed to throw the ball away. India got a corner.

1' - IND 0-0 MAS

India have played 21 matches against Maldives and India have won 15 of those matches. Maldives have won only four matches. Two matches have ended in draw. This match could be the first win for Manolo Marquez as India's head coach.

Indian players have managed to dominate in the first 10 minutes of the game. As the ball is moving towards Sunil Chhetri, the crowd is cheering loud. Maldives players are also intimidated by this cheering. It is showing in their performance. India still searching their first goal of the match.

10' - IND 0-0 MAS

Liston Colaco took the corner in the 15th minute and the ball touched a Maldives player and was very near to the goal when Rahul Bheke reached a little late to touch the ball and one another chance was missed. India are trying their best to get the early advantage in the match.

17' - IND 0-0 MAS

There was an another opportunity for India but poor shot selection from Brandon Fernandes resulted in no goal for India. Suresh and Mahesh managed to take the ball forward and Suresh performed a brilliant nutmeg to pass the ball to Fernandes but he could not connect the ball well. The crowd is eagerly waiting for the first goal of the match.

22' - IND 0-0 MAS

There was free kick from Liston Colaco which went in vain, then Suresh also tried for going towards the goalpost but failed. Indian players have shown much effort in taking the ball then converting them into goals. Maldives players, on the other hand, are looking more agile than they were at the start of the match.

31' - IND 0-0 MAS

India got a lead in the game after a brilliant header from Rahul Bheke. It was second successive corner for India. Brandon Fernandes attempted a right-footed shot which found Bheke's head and the ball was into the goalpost. It is Rahul Bheke's third international goal and interestingly all came as headers.

37' - IND 1-0 MAS

Brandon Fernandes looked in pain after some moments of India's goal. He was taken out of the field on a stretcher. Liston Colaco also got injured after a minute while taking the ball towards the goalpost. Maldives player was shown a yellow card for bad foul.

43' - IND 1-0 MAS

Three minutes were added in the first half by the fourth officials but that was not enough for Maldives to find their first goal of the match. Indian players tried their best to score another goal but Maldives players managed to keep them at bay. India have a lead in the game at half-time.

Half-Time - IND 1-0 MAS

The second half started with India dominating from the 46th minute. Maldives players have also started showing better intent after the break. They need to score the equalizer. So far, it has been an average performance from the Indian players.

50' - IND 1-0 MAS

Indian players are looking tired and they are lacking coordination within the teammates. Ayush Chhetri managed to pass the ball to Liston Colaco but he attempted a shot which went above the nets. Then, there was Farrukh Chaudhary who couldn't get the hold onto ball and missed a chance to score.

58' - IND 1-0 MAS

Boris Singh came as a substitution in the 62nd minute of the game. He replaced Suresh on the field. Ralte also came to the field as a substitution. India need a goal from here.

64' - IND 1-0 MAS

Liston Colaco scored his first goal for India! He finally got the goal and he celebrated with Cristiano Ronaldo's 'Siu' celebration. Maldives goalkeeper managed to stop the ball just before that goal but he could not stopped the brilliant header of Colaco.

68' - IND 2-0 MAS

Sunil Chhetri added yet another goal in his career. This is his 95th international goal. He came out of retirement and proved why he is still relevant in this game. Liston Colaco's shot found his head and witch a brilliant header, he scored the third goal of India's in the match.

78' - IND 3-0 MAS

Abhishek Singh made his debut for India when Sunil Chhetri was substituted in the 82nd minute after scoring his 95th international goal. The young Indian player managed to go for the shot just moment after reaching the field but he failed.

86' - IND 3-0 MAS

Five minutes were added in the second half but that were not enough for Maldives to find their first goal of the match. Indian players also managed to defend the game perfectly. India have won a match after 18 months. This is the first win under the head coach Manolo Marquez. Sunil Chhetri has brought luck with him and also scored a goal in the match. All goals were headers.

Full Time - IND 3-0 MAS

This is the first win of Indian team in the international circuit since Manolo Marquez at helm. The win has come after 18 months. Rahul Bheke, Liston Colaco and Sunil Chhetri scored for India in this win and interestingly all came as headers. Now, India will face Bangladesh in their next match which is an AFC Qualifier for the FIFA World Cup 2026 on 25 March.

India will host Bangladesh for the AFC Asian Cup Qualification match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Polo Ground) in Shillong. Indian players are high in confidence and will try to win the match against Bangla Tigers as well.

India beat Maldives 3-0 in a friendly match in Shillong. Now, the second match on the capital city of Meghalaya will be played on Tuesday, 25 March when India will take on Bangladesh in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifying match. Join us then at the same place. Until then, goodbye and goodnight!