CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG: Excitement is soaring in Shillong as football fans eagerly await a historic moment at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. India's senior men's football team is set to play their first-ever international match in the city, facing Maldives in a highly anticipated FIFA International Friendly on Wednesday. The match will kick off at 7PM.
The spotlight is firmly on the Blue Tigers, with legendary striker Sunil Chhetri making his much-anticipated return to international football. The match serves as a crucial test for both teams as they prepare for their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, with India gearing up to face Bangladesh and Maldives set to take on the Philippines.
While it is a preparatory match for India coach Manolo Márquez's side ahead of the all-important AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier against Bangladesh on March 25, it marks a historic moment as the Blue Tigers will play in Shillong for the first time. It will also be India's all-time top scorer Sunil Chhetri's first match since announcing his return to international football.
In the pre-match press conference today, Márquez said, "It is the first time we are playing here but I have worked with a lot of coaches and players from here. I knew it's a very nice place. I remember when I watched the Durand Cup in Shillong last year, I said, 'Wow, the ground, crowd, atmosphere, everything is nice.' I'm not joking, I said it'd be great if one day, the national team could play here."
For Márquez, his first competitive match since becoming India's head coach in July 2024 is a week away and tomorrow's friendly presents a great opportunity to fine-tune his team before the crucial fixture.
"It's a friendly game to prepare for the Asian Cup qualifier. Obviously, we want to win. We knew that the target during the previous FIFA windows was to arrive in the best possible condition for the first competitive match against Bangladesh next Tuesday.
"I don't think we will play with the same team against Bangladesh that will play tomorrow. Obviously, you can't change all 11. Some will repeat on Tuesday. I'm confident in all my players. It has to be a good game and a good preparation for Bangladesh."
Márquez also confirmed Chhetri's involvement in the friendly match that will mark his 152nd cap for India.
"For sure, Sunil will play some minutes. I don't know whether as a starter or from the bench. We can use six substitutions, so 17 players can play, and I think Sunil will be one of them," said Márquez.
Ranked 162 in the world, 36 places below India, Maldives are also using the friendly match to prepare for their Asian Cup qualifier against Philippines next Tuesday.
Maldives head coach Ali Suzain said, "Thank you for the hospitality here. We're playing Philippines on the 25th, so it's a preparation match for us. But it's an important one since India and Maldives are two strong sides in this region. I hope it will be a good fight."
"Although we haven't played much at the international level these days, I have been with these players for a long time. I know them very well and I know their strengths and weaknesses and how to work on them. The players also have confidence in me. Maldives is a football country. Every island has football pitches. We will give our best for the people of Maldives."
ALO READ: Football Tourney Under CAP-NE Kicks Off in Sonapur
ALSO WATCH: