The returning Sunil Chhetri would be the cynosure of all eyes as India face Maldives in a global pleasant right here on Wednesday, the match serving as a costume rehearsal for the all-important AFC Asian Cup qualifier in opposition to Bangladesh on the identical venue in lower than every week’s time. The 40-year-old Chhetri got here out of his worldwide retirement earlier this month to assist the workforce efficiently navigate the qualifiers for the continent’s prime soccer event, beginning with the March 25 conflict. The preparatory match for Manolo Marquez’s facet marks a historic second because the Blue Tigers will play within the football-crazy hill city for the primary time.
It may even be India’s all-time prime scorer Chhetri’s first match since asserting his return to worldwide soccer.
In the pre-match press convention on Tuesday, Marquez mentioned, “It is the primary time we’re enjoying right here, however I’ve labored with a variety of coaches and gamers from right here. I knew it is a very good place.
“I keep in mind once I watched the Durand Cup in Shillong final yr, I mentioned, ‘Wow, the bottom, crowd, environment, every part is sweet.’ I’m not joking, I mentioned it would be nice if at some point, the nationwide workforce may play right here.” Defender Mehtab Singh concurred with the Spaniard.
Mehtab mentioned, “We really feel nice to be in Shillong. It’s the primary time our nationwide workforce will probably be enjoying right here. The north-east is thought for its soccer fan following. Football is the largest sport right here. Taking soccer to various areas is a superb factor for Indian soccer.” For Marquez, his first aggressive match since turning into India’s head coach in July 2024 is every week away, and the pleasant presents a terrific alternative to fine-tune his workforce earlier than the essential fixture.
The Indian workforce, although, stays winless beneath Marquez with the facet ending the yr with a 1-1 stalemate in opposition to Malaysia in November in Hyderabad.
“It’s a pleasant recreation to arrange for the Asian Cup qualifier. Obviously, we wish to win. We knew that the goal through the earlier FIFA home windows was to reach in the absolute best situation for the primary aggressive match in opposition to Bangladesh subsequent Tuesday.
“I do not assume we’ll play with the identical workforce in opposition to Bangladesh that can play tomorrow. Obviously, you’ll be able to’t change all 11. Some will repeat on Tuesday. I’m assured in all my gamers. It needs to be a great recreation and a great preparation for Bangladesh.” Marquez additionally confirmed Chhetri’s involvement within the pleasant match that can mark his 152nd cap for India.
“For certain, Sunil will play some minutes. I do not know whether or not as a starter or from the bench. We can use six substitutions, so 17 gamers can play, and I believe Sunil will probably be one in all them.
“He is the Indian participant with essentially the most targets this season. It would not matter if a participant is 20, 40, or my grandfather at 87. If they’re in higher form, they are going to be right here. The nationwide workforce just isn’t about creating gamers.
“Developed gamers need to arrive right here. The essential workforce must win video games. And if we have to win video games, we have to name gamers who’re in higher form,” mentioned Marquez.
Chhetri had earlier hung his boots in June 2024 after a wonderful worldwide profession after making his India debut in 2005.
But he confirmed he stays a power to reckon with, within the 2024-25 ISL which has turned out to be Chhteri’s most prolific season.
He has scored 12 targets from 24 matches to be the second highest scorer general and highest amongst Indians.
Mehtab, who has helped the Blue Tigers’ again line hold six clear sheets in 10 matches for India thus far, mentioned, “We have been practising very nicely for each video games — our major focus is the pleasant in opposition to Maldives after which the qualifier in opposition to Bangladesh. We’re taking issues step-by-step.” Ranked 162 on this planet, 36 locations under India, Maldives are additionally utilizing the pleasant match to arrange for his or her Asian Cup qualifier in opposition to Philippines subsequent Tuesday.
Maldives head coach Ali Suzain mentioned, “Thank you for the hospitality right here. We’re enjoying Philippines on the twenty fifth, so it is a preparation match for us. But it is an vital one since India and Maldives are two sturdy sides on this area. I hope will probably be a great struggle.
“Although we have not performed a lot on the worldwide stage lately, I’ve been with these gamers for a very long time. I do know them very nicely and I do know their strengths and weaknesses and find out how to work on them.
“The gamers even have confidence in me. Maldives is a soccer nation. Every island has soccer pitches. We will give our greatest for the folks of Maldives.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
