India, impressed by the return of the talismanic Sunil Chhetri from retirement, put up a spirited efficiency to beat Maldives 3-0 in a FIFA worldwide pleasant on the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium right here on Wednesday. Rahul Bheke, Liston Colaco scored as soon as every earlier than Chhetri discovered his ninety fifth worldwide objective to assist India return to successful methods after practically 16 months (because it beat Kuwait 1-0 on November 16, 2023).
Chhetri’s presence appeared to carry in regards to the desired transformation as India regained its attacking edge and located the lead within the thirty fourth minute off a nook. The residence aspect began the hunt proper after the beginning and created not less than three good alternatives earlier than Bheke nodded residence a Brandon Fernandes flag-kick to opening the tally.
India, which beat Maldives 3-1 of their final assembly within the SAFF championships on October 2021, continued to dominate and doubled the lead within the 66th minute from one other set-piece scenario. Colaco scored his first worldwide objective when he headed in Naorem Mahesh Singh’s nook.
Chhetri produced his trademark end with a flicked header within the 76th minute to assist India full its dominance.
This fetched Manolo Marquez his first win ever since he took over as the coach of the senior National males’s soccer crew in the midst of final yr. The consequence can even increase the spirit of the Indian aspect forward of its 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier closing spherical match in opposition to Bangladesh, which can be performed on the similar venue on March 25.
The consequence: India 3 (Bheke 34, Colaco 66, Chhetri 76) bt Maldives 0.
Published – March 19, 2025 10:39 pm IST
