The Indian senior males’s staff will face Maldives in a FIFA International Friendly on Wednesday, March 19 on the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. The sport may even be India’s all-time high scorer Sunil Chhetri’s first match since asserting his return to worldwide soccer. Head coach Manolo Marquez additionally confirmed Sunil Chhetri’s involvement within the pleasant match that may mark his 152nd cap for India and backed his resolution to return from retirement by stating his staff must win video games, not develop gamers. “For positive, 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 shall be one in every of them.
“He is the Indian participant with essentially the most targets this season. It does 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 staff will not be about growing gamers. Developed gamers must arrive right here. The predominant staff must win video games. And if we have to win video games, we have to name gamers who’re in higher form,” mentioned Marquez within the pre match convention on Tuesday.
While it is a preparatory match for Manolo Marquez’s aspect forward of the all-important AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier in opposition to Bangladesh on March 25, it marks a historic second because the Blue Tigers will play in Shillong, Meghalaya for the primary time.
“It is the primary time we’re enjoying right here, however I’ve labored with a whole lot of coaches and gamers from right here. I knew it is a very good place. I keep in mind after I watched the Durand Cup in Shillong final 12 months, I mentioned, ‘Wow, the bottom, crowd, environment, every thing is sweet.’ I’m not joking, I mentioned it would be nice if in the future, the nationwide staff may play right here,” he added.
Defender Mehtab Singh concurred with the Spaniard. He mentioned, “We really feel nice to be in Shillong. It’s the primary time our nationwide staff shall be enjoying right here. The north-east is thought for its soccer fan following. Football is the most important sport right here. Taking soccer to numerous areas is a superb factor for Indian soccer.”
For Márquez, his first aggressive match since changing into India’s head coach in July 2024 is per week away, and the pleasant presents a fantastic alternative to fine-tune his staff earlier than the essential fixture.
“It’s a pleasant sport to organize 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 very best situation for the primary aggressive match in opposition to Bangladesh subsequent Tuesday.
“I do not assume we are going to play with the identical staff in opposition to Bangladesh that may play tomorrow. Obviously, you possibly can’t change all 11. Some will repeat on Tuesday. I’m assured in all my gamers. It must be a very good sport and a very good preparation for Bangladesh,” he mentioned.
–IANS
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