India beat Maldives as Chhetri scores on return: Three major talking points from 3-0 win in Shillong

The Indian football team started their 2025 calendar with a 3-0 win over Maldives in the international friendly played in Shillong on Wednesday. The much-needed win gave India a perfect start to their March FIFA window as they get ready to face Bangladesh in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers.

India are drawn in Group C alongside Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Singapore. The Bangladesh game will their first match of the qualifiers and the group winner at the end will progress directly to the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

As the Blue Tigers and coach Manolo Marquez turn their attention toward the Bangladesh fixture, we take a look a three major talking points from the India vs Maldives international football friendly match.

More from Football

Geopolitical undercurrents and Hamza Choudhury's inclusion shape Bangladesh's clash against Indian football team India vs Bangladesh AFC Asian Cup Qualifier: When and where to watch, match date, time, venue and more

Nightmare runs ends with Manolo’s first win

Maldives are ranked 162nd in the FIFA rankings and their men’s league, Dhivehi Premier League, was last held in 2023. All of this meant that Maldives entered the competition as underdogs against India who are 126th in FIFA ranking. But the Indian football team has struggled for positive results lately, against stronger or so-called weaker teams. Their last win had come on 16 November in 2023 against Kuwait in FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifying.

In that respect, beating the Maldives has come as a big relief for Indian football fans as it was the first victory for the Blue Tigers after a gap of 489 days and also the first win for the team under manager Manolo Marquez.

The Spaniard has been India’s coach  since July 2024, losing one and drawing three in four matches before the Maldives game.

Chhetri underlines why Indian went back to him

One of the major storylines form India’s win was Sunil Chhetri returning to the national team and scoring on his comeback. The 40-year-old striker, who has been in sensational form in the Indian Super League (ISL), reversed his international retirement to help India qualify for the Asian Cup.

It took some time for him to get on the scoresheet, and he once had a clear opportunity denied when a header was cleared off the goal line. But Chhetri has always been relentless in the Indian shirt. He was the same in Shillong, constantly making sneaky runs behind the defenders before eventually capitalising on a cross from Liston Colaco to score with a glancing header at the near post after a darting run.

95TH GOAL FOR SUNIL CHHETRI 🔥🔥🔥

🇮🇳 INDIA 3-0 MALDIVES 🇲🇻

India is totally dominating the Gameplay 💪
https://t.co/BYa69h1Cbl

— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) March 19, 2025

His vision, commitment and fitness to beat the defender highlighted why Manolo has been forced to rely on a 40-year-old striker.

India’s other two goals came from defender Rahul Bheke and winger Liston Colaco.

India’s creativity in final third still looks poor

India wingers Liston and Naorem Mahesh Singh had a good day and Ayush Chhetri had a memorable debut in the midfield. Suresh Singh Wangjam had an okayish game and defenders had little to do against a poor Maldivian attack. But the major worry is the lack of creativity in the final third, especially from the middle.

That’s a major reason why the bulk of Indian goals are coming from set pieces. Brandon Fernandes was India’s best bet but he was injured in the first half and was forced to leave the pitch after assisting for Bheke’s goal.

With only options on the bench being Ashique Kuruniyan, Brison Fernandes, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Apuia, Farukh Choudhary and Irfan Yadwad, it’s difficult to see how Manolo can drastically change things.

And this lack of creativity can prove to be the difference against Bangladesh who now have Hamza Choudhury in their ranks.