India clinched a solid 3-0 victory against Maldives in the latest international friendly held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. The victory was special for several reasons; firstly it marked the return of Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri as he returned from retirement to help his national team. And secondly, this was the first victory for the Indian football team after almost one and a half years, since 16th November 2023, where they won 1-0 to Kuwait. In June 2024, Chhetri announced his retirement from international football following a distinguished career that spanned nearly two decades. However, in March 2025, he reversed his decision, driven by a profound sense of responsibility and love for the national team.
The lack of goal scorers in the team and discussions with head coach Manolo Marquez played pivotal roles in his return. His comeback has injected renewed vigor into the Indian national team as they prepare for the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers. Chhetri's return was marked by a friendly match against the Maldives in Shillong, a historic event as it was the city's first time hosting an international football match. And as the cherry on top of the cake, Chettri also scored his 95th international goal in this match.
India end long winless drought with solid 3-0 win
India dominated possession from the start, creating several scoring opportunities. The breakthrough came in the 35th minute when defender Rahul Bheke rose above the Maldivian defense to head in a well-delivered corner, giving India a deserved lead. The Blue Tigers continued their offensive in the second half. In the 66th minute, Liston Colaco doubled the lead with another header from a corner, showcasing India's aerial prowess.
The highlight of the match occurred in the 76th minute when captain Sunil Chhetri, returning from retirement, scored his 95th international goal. Connecting with a precise cross from Colaco, Chhetri's header sealed the 3-0 victory, marking a triumphant comeback. This match marked the first victory under new head coach Manolo Marquez and it also ended India's 12-match winless streak and boosted the morale of the team ahead of the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh.
