Sunil Chhetri scores on international comeback as India beat Maldives 3-0 | Football News

Indian soccer staff (Photo Credit: @IndianFootball on X)

NEW DELHI: Sunil Chhetri made a outstanding comeback to the nationwide staff after retiring from international soccer in May final yr. In a pleasant match towards Maldives on Wednesday, Chhetri’s presence proved to be the catalyst for India’s commanding 3-0 victory, serving to the staff snap their 12-match winless streak that had continued since November 2023.
The match unfolded with Rahul Bheke giving India the lead within the thirty fifth minute, adopted by Liston Colaco extending the benefit to 2-0 within the 66th minute.
The 40-year-old Chhetri, who had returned to the nationwide staff, etched his title within the scoresheet with a glancing header within the 77th minute, marking his ninety fifth international aim.
Chhetri’s influence was evident as he narrowly missed a scoring alternative within the forty seventh minute, denied by the Maldives goalkeeper. He was finally substituted within the 82nd minute, having made a memorable contribution to the staff’s victory.

This triumph held significance as it marked India’s first win in 16 months and the primary below the steerage of Manolo Marquez, who was appointed as the pinnacle coach in July final yr. India’s earlier victory got here towards Kuwait (1-0) of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying spherical match in Kuwait City on November 16, 2023.
The pleasant match served as a costume rehearsal for India’s essential AFC Asian Cup qualifier towards Bangladesh, scheduled for March 25 on the identical venue. Chhetri’s return to the nationwide staff was particularly geared toward aiding the staff’s profitable navigation via the qualifiers.
With Maldives ranked 162nd on the earth, 36 locations beneath India (126th), the match supplied a possibility for the Indian staff to regain their successful momentum and put together for the upcoming challenges within the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.