 "India finally win after 489 days as Sunil Chhetri scores 95th international goal on return")
India put on a commanding display to defeat the Maldives 3-0 in an international friendly at Shillong’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Polo Ground) on Wednesday. The Blue Tigers controlled the game from start to finish, with goals from Rahul Bheke, Liston Colaco, and Sunil Chhetri sealing a well-deserved victory.
Three headers get the job done for India in Shillong! 🇮🇳💙#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/ZiD5VuJWub
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025
India took the lead in the 34th minute when Bheke headed home a corner from Brandon Fernandes, giving the hosts a crucial advantage. In the 66th minute, Liston Colaco doubled the lead with another clinical header, keeping India’s momentum strong.
The highlight of the match came in the 77th minute, as Sunil Chhetri, playing his first match since returning from international retirement, scored his 95th international goal. Colaco sent in a cross from the left, which Chhetri took past two defenders and guided into the net with a header.
With this victory, India continue to build momentum ahead of their crucial 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier third-round match against Bangladesh on 25 March.
India vs Maldives: Full match report
Rahul Bheke gave India the lead in the 35th minute before Liston Colaco made it 2-0 in the 66th minute.
The 40-year-old Chhetri, who returned to the national team after hanging his boots in May last year, made it a memorable day as he scored India’s third with a glancing header in the 77th minute for his 95th international goal.
Captain Chhetri, who was denied by the Maldives goalkeeper in the 47th minute, was substituted by Irfan Yadwad in the 82nd minute. He made a comeback to the national team after 286 days to play his 152nd match.
This was India’s first win in 16 months and also first under Manolo Marquez who was made the head coach in July last year. India’s last win was against Kuwait (1-0) in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying round match in Kuwait City on November 16, 2023.
Before Wednesday, India under Marquez lost once and drew thrice.
Maldives are ranked 162 in the world, 36 places below India (126).
This is also Shillong’s first international match.
Interestingly, all of India’s goals came off headers. Bheke and Colaco scored off corner kicks. Chhetri connected a fine cross from Colaco.
The crowd at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was nearly on its feet in the very first minute when Chhetri created a move that could have fetched a goal.
Chhetri’s cross from the left at the goalmouth was a gem and a defensive error made things easier for India as the ball dropped free near the six-yard box. Naorem Mahesh Singh, however, failed to grab the opportunity.
The Indian captain was at it again in the 14th minute. His delicate header off a free kick from the left travelled across the Maldives goalmouth most invitingly, but none in the Indian forward line could make the crucial connection.
India’s domination was clear with Colaco, Mahesh and Brandon Fernandes in the thick of things. The Blue Tigers tightened the noose in and around the Maldives defence. Yet, the breakthrough remained elusive till late in the first half.
The Maldives defenders were also to be credited as they made quick clearances even though some were hasty and desperate.
In the 25th minute, a Colaco pile driver was spot on target but Maldives goalkeeper Hussain Shareef displayed remarkable agility to thwart the attempt.
Shareef, however, was left clueless in the 35th minute when Brandon’s corner from the left was met with a powerful header by Bheke.
Thereafter, Maldives slowly faded away from the game as India took over in the second half. After a series of missed chances, Colaco picked up his first international goal in the 66th minute when he headed in a Mahesh corner.
Chhetri finally put the game to bed in the 77th minute with another header that angularly entered the net.
(With agency inputs)
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