Image: Indian Football Team
It was the first-ever international fixture at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong when India took on the Maldives in a friendly and Sunil Chhetri led Indian team and made the occasion memorable with an emphatic 3-0 victory over the visitors. The win marked India’s first victory in 489 days, their last triumph coming against Kuwait in November 2023. Sunil Chhetri also justified his return to the national team by scoring his 95th international goal in his comeback match after reversing his retirement decision.
Head Coach Manolo Marquez secured his first victory since taking charge last year. It was also a day to remember for Mohun Bagan forward Liston Colaco, who celebrated in true Cristiano Ronaldo style after netting his first goal for India. Colaco rose high to head Naorem Mahesh Singh’s corner into the back of the net, opening his international account in style.
Liston stole the limelight with his pace, flair, and sharp runs down the flanks. He capped off a complete performance with an assist for Chhetri’s goal, delivering a perfect cross that the skipper headed home. Earlier, seasoned defender Rahul Bheke continued his knack for scoring from set-pieces. Bheke found the net with a well-timed header from a corner, breaking the deadlock for the hosts in the first half.
While the victory augurs well for the Blue Tigers ahead of their crucial AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers opener against neighbouring Bangladesh, the team suffered a setback with Brendon Fernandes’ injury. The midfielder limped off the pitch before halftime, and Manolo Marquez confirmed his unavailability for the Bangladesh match.
“No, for sure, Brandon won’t be available. It’s really bad luck that we lost three players in the last game in ISL, plus Manvir the other day during the break session, and today, Brandon,” said Marquez.
With Brendon ruled out, Marquez will face a challenge in finding a suitable replacement to fill the Mumbai City midfielder’s creative void. Adding to his concerns, Lallianzuala Chhangte, a potential alternative, had already been ruled out due to injury. Unless Marquez identifies a makeshift solution, he may be forced to adjust his formation against Bangladesh.
The Indian squad also faced a blow before the game with the injury of forward Manvir Singh. The winger left the national camp and returned to Kolkata for rehabilitation. Furthermore, Brison Fernandes, the second-highest Indian goal scorer in the ongoing ISL after Chhetri, is yet to recover. When asked about potential replacements, Marquez said, “Yes, we will call someone. We will recover Brison, who was in the stands today. But let’s see which player.”
Despite the historical significance of hosting Shillong’s first-ever senior men’s international match, the attendance was modest, with only 6,798 fans turning up. The Meghalaya Football Association attributed this to the weekday schedule but remains hopeful for a larger turnout next week when India takes on Bangladesh in the high-stakes qualifier at the 15,000-capacity stadium.
Another noticeable issue was the pitch condition. While the stadium’s lush green surface appeared visually appealing, players frequently slipped during crucial moments. Similar issues were evident during Bengaluru FC’s match against North East United at the same venue in the ISL. Addressing the pitch quality will be essential before the upcoming qualifier.
Also Read: Sunil Chhetri slams his 95th goal as India outplay Maldives
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