India vs Maldives Highlights, International Friendly: Chhetri scores on return as Blue Tigers beat Maldives 3-0 (2025)

• March 19, 2025 21:02

  MAJOR TALKING POINTS FROM THE MATCH

  Sunil Chhetri returns, Brandon injured - what are the major talking points from India vs Maldives?

  IND vs MDV: India started international football in 2025 with a friendly against Maldives at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Polo) in Shillong on Tuesday.

• March 19, 2025 21:01

  UP NEXT: AFC ASIAN CUP QUALIFIER

  India will be boosted by the win against Maldives and will look to carry the spark when it hosts Bangladesh in its first match of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier third-round on March 25.

• March 19, 2025 20:57

  MATCH REPORT

  Chhetri scores on return as India beats Maldives to win a football match after 489 days

  Sunil Chhetri scored on his return from international retirement as India beat Maldives 3-0 in an International Friendly at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Wednesday.

• March 19, 2025 20:56

  THE WAIT FOR A WIN IS OVER!

  Manolo Marquez gets his first win as the India men’s national football team manager and the team gets its first win in 489 days. Two set-piece headers from Rahul Bheke and Liston Colaco put the Blue Tigers in the driving seat while talisman Sunil Chhetri scored his 95th goal on his return to the national team.

• March 19, 2025 20:54

  FULL-TIME

  FULL TIME!

  And that is the last major action of the match as the referee blows the whistle for full time.

• March 19, 2025 20:54

  90+5’ IND 3-0 MDV

  Mahesh takes a corner from the left and the ball is cleared away only as far as Apuia outside the box. He takes a touch and shoots it on the half-volley, but ends up sending the ball wide of the left post.

• March 19, 2025 20:52

  YELLOW CARD

  90+3’ IND 3-0 MDV

  Irfan runs up to a ball played through into the box. However, the flag goes up for offside and Irfan is shown a yellow card for wasting time by putting the ball into the back of the net.

• March 19, 2025 20:50

  90+2’ IND 3-0 MDV

  Bheke finds Ashique on the left with a ball over the top. The youngster however is unable to bring it under control and concedes a throw in.

• March 19, 2025 20:49

  90’ IND 3-0 MDV

  Five minutes of added time to play.

• March 19, 2025 20:49

  89’ IND 3-0 MDV

  Raif tries to bring the ball under control and drive down the right wing. Substitute Abhishek does well to wrestle him off and win the ball for the Blue Tigers.

• March 19, 2025 20:47

  YELLOW CARD

  88’ IND 3-0 MDV

  Maldives captain Samooh is shown a yellow card after a bad challenge on Irfan.

• March 19, 2025 20:45

  87’ IND 3-0 MDV; Substitution

  Maldives: Sifaau is replaced by Usamaa.

• March 19, 2025 20:45

  86’ IND 3-0 MDV

  Mahesh gets the ball and takes a shot from outside the box which is saved by Shareef.

• March 19, 2025 20:44

  85’ IND 3-0 MDV; Substitutions

  Maldives: Mahudee and Aiham are replaced by Raif and Nisham.

• March 19, 2025 20:42

  83’ IND 3-0 MDV; Substitutions

  India: Chhetri, Liston and Bose are replaced by Irfan, Abhishek Singh and Ashique

• March 19, 2025 20:40

  82’ IND 3-0 MDV

  Maldives gets a freekick in the opposition half after Farukh commits a foul.

• March 19, 2025 20:40

  80’ IND 3-0 MDV

  Maldives gets three corners in a row but is unable to produce anything fruitful from them.

• March 19, 2025 20:37

  79’ IND 3-0 MDV

  A corner comes in from the right for Maldives which is headed away from danger by Mehtab Singh.

• March 19, 2025 20:34

  76’ GOAAL! IND 3-0 MDV

  Chhetri scores!! Mahesh plays a low cross into the middle which is missed by Farukh. The ball is recycled by Liston on the left who puts it back into the six-yard area.

  Chhetri is there and flicks the ball with his head past the Maldives goalkeeper.

• March 19, 2025 20:32

  73’ IND 2-0 MDV

  Ibrahim with the ball on the right for Maldives. He plays a low cross into the box where substitute Nazeem makes a good run. He gets a touch but it is not enough to trouble Kaith who catches the ball easily.

• March 19, 2025 20:31

  72’ IND 2-0 MDV

  Liston plays the ball through for Mahesh into the box. However, the pass is heavy and Mahesh is unable to stop it from going out for a goal kick.

• March 19, 2025 20:29

  69’ IND 2-0 MDV; Substitutions

  Maldives: Hamza, Fasir and Naim are replaced by Nazeem, Naiz and Nihaan.

• March 19, 2025 20:26

  YELLOW CARD

  68’ IND 2-0 MDV

  Ahmed Aiham is shown a yellow card for a foul on Boris.

• March 19, 2025 20:24

  GOAL

  66’ GOAAL! IND 2-0 MDV

  Liston scores! Mahesh stands over the corner on the left and curls the ball into the middle. Liston jumps above the Maldives defence and heads the ball with power into the goal to double the lead.

• March 19, 2025 20:22

  65’ IND 1-0 MDV

  Play resumes.

  Mahesh threads the ball through to Farukh on the right. He cuts it back to Liston inside the box. He hits it first time and Shareef makes an excellent save to keep his side in the tie.

• March 19, 2025 20:22

  64’ IND 1-0 MDV

  Play is stopped as Ibrahim stays on the ground after a challenge from Bose.

• March 19, 2025 20:21

  63’ IND 1-0 MDV

  Farukh gets the ball inside the box and is not able to bring it under control. The loose ball falls to Mahesh whose left-footed shot goes over the bar.

• March 19, 2025 20:20

  62’ IND 1-0 MDV; Substitutions

  India: Suresh and Valpuia are replaced by Boris Singh and Apuia.

• March 19, 2025 20:18

  59’ IND 1-0 MDV

  Liston gets the ball on the left and tries to get past Sifaau. The Maldives defender wins the battle this time and clears the ball away.

• March 19, 2025 20:17

  58’ IND 1-0 MDV

  Looks like Manolo Marquez is getting ready to make some changes.

• March 19, 2025 20:16

  57’ IND 1-0 MDV

  Farukh combines with Chhetri to get into the box. He tries to cut back a pass to the captain instead of going for goal. The Maldives defence closes him down and gives away a corner.

• March 19, 2025 20:15

  55’ IND 1-0 MDV

  Liston gets the ball on the left side of the box and puts in a cross with his left which goes out directly for a goal kick.

• March 19, 2025 20:12

  53’ IND 1-0 MDV

  Maldives has possession of the ball for the first time in the second half. Ahmed gets it on the edge of the box and takes a shot which was always going wide.

• March 19, 2025 20:10

  52’ IND 1-0 MDV

  Farukh gets the ball once again and hits it with power this time. The ball sails over the goal in the end.

• March 19, 2025 20:10

  51’ IND 1-0 MDV

  Farukh gets the ball on the right and has acres of space in front of him. He drives to the byline and tries to cut the ball back for Chhetri. However, he slips and the ball is cleared away from danger.

• March 19, 2025 20:08

  50’ IND 1-0 MDV

  Maldives wins a freekick in its own half after Liston fouls Ibrahim.

• March 19, 2025 20:07

  48’ IND 1-0 MDV

  If India manages to hold onto the lead, it will its first win in 489 days.

• March 19, 2025 20:06

  47’ IND 1-0 MDV

  A cross comes from the right corner and Chhetri gets his head on the ball. Hamza with an important goal-line clearance to deny the star from scoring his 95th goal.

• March 19, 2025 20:05

  46’ IND 1-0 MDV

  India is on the front foot and Mahesh wins an early corner.

• March 19, 2025 20:03

  SECOND HALF BEGINS!

  Maldives kicks off the second half shooting from left to right.

• March 19, 2025 19:50

  INJURY CONCERN FOR BRANDON!

  Brandon Fernandes stretchered out in India vs Maldives, doubtful for AFC Asian Cup qualifier v Bangladesh

  India suffered a major injury blow as midfielder Brandon Fernandes was stretchered out during the international friendly against Maldives on Wednesday.

• March 19, 2025 19:49

  HALFTIME

  45+3’ IND 1-0 MDV; HALF TIME

  Liston uses his pace to drive down the left wing before playing a cross into the box. However, the pass goes above all the players and the chance is wasted.

  And that is the last major action of the half as the referee blows the whistle for half time.

• March 19, 2025 19:46

  45+1’ IND 1-0 MDV

  Valpuia gives the ball to Farukh on the right and the flag immediately goes up for offside against the substitute.

• March 19, 2025 19:45

  45’ IND 1-0 MDV

  Three minutes of added time to play in the first half.

• March 19, 2025 19:45

  44’ IND 1-0 MDV

  Vulpuia gets the ball on the right side of the box. He plays a lovely cross into the middle where Chhetri lines up for the header. However, Farukh comes in front of him and heads the ball off-target.

• March 19, 2025 19:44

  43’ IND 1-0 MDV

  A ball is played through for Hamza down the right. Valpuia does well to get in front of him and win the ball.

• March 19, 2025 19:42

  42’ IND 1-0 MDV

  India wins another corner after Samooh clears the ball away from Farukh.

• March 19, 2025 19:42

  YELLOW CARD

  41’ IND 1-0 MDV

  Yellow card for Hussain Sifaau after a bad foul on Liston.

• March 19, 2025 19:39

  40’ IND 1-0 MDV; Substitution

  India: Brandon is replaced by Farukh.

• March 19, 2025 19:39

  39’ IND 1-0 MDV

  Looks like Brandon will not be able to continue and is stretchered off the field.

• March 19, 2025 19:38

  38’ IND 1-0 MDV

  The medical staff is making their way onto the field to assess the situation. Farukh Choudhary is warming up on the sidelines.

• March 19, 2025 19:37

  37’ IND 1-0 MDV

  Play is stopped as Brandon goes to ground with an injury.

• March 19, 2025 19:36

  36’ IND 1-0 MDV

  Maldives is looking for an instant reply and wins a corner.

• March 19, 2025 19:34

  GOAL

  34’ GOAALL! IND 1-0 MDV

  Bheke scores!! Brandon curls the ball into the box from a corner on the right. Bheke rises the highest inside the box and nods the ball into the back of the net to take the lead.

• March 19, 2025 19:34

  33’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Mahesh cleverly finds Brandon on the right. He tries to quickly put the ball into the middle but ends up winning a corner.

• March 19, 2025 19:33

  32’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Corner comes in from the right for India. Mehtab gets his head on the ball but fails to keep it on target.

• March 19, 2025 19:31

  31’ IND 0-0 MDV; Injury scare for Brandon

  Mahesh gets the ball along the right but fails to control the ball as the ball goes out of play. Meanwhile, Brandon goes to the ground, wreathing in pain.

• March 19, 2025 19:30

  30’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Bose and Liston combine to help the latter cross the ball into the middle. Chhetri is there but once again Samooh makes the interception and clears the ball away.

• March 19, 2025 19:28

  28’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Chettri clips the ball towards Mahesh on the right wing. His touch is poor and he ends up conceding a throw in.

• March 19, 2025 19:27

  27’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Suresh plays a ball over the top for Chhetri. The 40-year-old chases the ball but Maldives captain Samooh does well under pressure and clears the ball away.

• March 19, 2025 19:26

  26’ IND 0-0 MDV

  A battle for the ball ensues in the middle of the pitch between Suresh and Ahmed. The latter wins the duel and secures possession for his side.

• March 19, 2025 19:25

  25’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Liston stands over the freekick and goes for the goal himself. The ball whizzes past the right post in the end.

• March 19, 2025 19:24

  24’ IND 0-0 MDV

  India wins a freekick outside the box after Liston is fouled by Ibrahim.

• March 19, 2025 19:23

  23’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Liston puts in a cross at the far post from the left. Mahesh is there but he watches as it sails over his head and out for a goal kick.

• March 19, 2025 19:22

  22’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Naim is back on his feet and looks fit to continue.

  Play resumes.

• March 19, 2025 19:21

  21’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Play is stopped as Naim goes to the ground clutching his ankle. He is receiving medical treatment at the moment.

• March 19, 2025 19:20

  19’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Suresh gets past his man on the right wing and finds Brandon on the edge of the box. He tries to hit it first time and does not make a clean connection as the ball bounces past the right post.

• March 19, 2025 19:19

  18’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Liston gets the ball on the left and dances his way into the box. He cuts back a pass for Mahesh which is stopped by an important interception from Numan.

• March 19, 2025 19:18

  17’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Mahesh plays the ball to Valpuia on the right. He puts in a cross which is easily cleared away by the opposition defence.

• March 19, 2025 19:17

  16’ IND 0-0 MDV

  India has had the majority of possession so far in the game but has lacked the precision in the final third of the field.

• March 19, 2025 19:15

  15’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Brandon stands over the freekick and puts in a good-looking cross. Ibrahim gets a touch on it ahead of Bheke and it flashes across the goal and out for a corner.

• March 19, 2025 19:14

  14’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Liston wins a freekick on the left side of the box after drawing a foul from Hussain.

• March 19, 2025 19:12

  12’ IND 0-0 MDV

  India wins the ball in the opposition half and it comes to Valpuia on the right wing. He ends up winning a corner for his side.

• March 19, 2025 19:11

  11’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Suresh tries to playa through ball down the right. But no one has made a run and the ball rolls out for a goal kick.

• March 19, 2025 19:10

  10’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Maldives wins a freekick in the middle of the pitch after Suresh fouls Ibrahim.

• March 19, 2025 19:10

  9’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Suresh plays a ball over the top to Chhetri who heads it down at the edge of the box. However, he does not have any support and the ball is cleared away.

• March 19, 2025 19:08

  8’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Maldives forward Hamza gets the ball outside the box and takes a shot. Bheke stands strong and blocks the attempt out for a throw-in.

• March 19, 2025 19:07

  6’ IND 0-0 MDV

  India is dominating possession of the ball in the opening minutes of the match with Maldives content on sitting back and defending.

• March 19, 2025 19:06

  5’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Brandon gets the ball on the far side and tries to hold off two opposition players. However, he ends up giving away a throw in.

• March 19, 2025 19:05

  4' IND 0-0 MDV

  India wins a freekick in the opposition half after Naim fouls Liston.

• March 19, 2025 19:04

  3’ IND 0-0 MDV

  The match will be a dress rehearsal for both teams with India and Maldives facing Bangladesh and Philippines respectively in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier next week.

• March 19, 2025 19:03

  2’ IND 0-0 MDV

  At the other end, Kaith has the first touch of the ball and ends up slipping and conceding a corner when put under pressure.

• March 19, 2025 19:03

  2’ IND 0-0 MDV

  Liston plays the ball through for Chhetri into the box. He squares the ball into the middle where a Maldives defender heads the ball towards goal. The goalkeeper makes a save and spills the ball into the path of Mahesh.

  However, his attempt is cleared away for a corner by an important interception.

• March 19, 2025 19:01

  1’ IND 0-0 MDV

  India is on the attack right from kick-off. But Suresh ends up giving away the ball and Mehtab has to track back and win the ball back.

• March 19, 2025 19:00

  KICK OFF!

  India kicks off the match shooting from left to right.

• March 19, 2025 18:52

  MATCH STARTS SOON!

  The players are making their way into the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. Sunil Chhetri leads the home side while Samooh Ali leads Maldives.

• March 19, 2025 18:47

  FULL LIST OF SUNIL CHHETRI’S GOALS AGAINST MALDIVES

  1 - July 10, 2011 - Rasmee Dhandu Stadium, Male

  2 - December 9, 2011 - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi

  3 - December 9, 2011 - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi

  4 - August 25, 2012 - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi

  5 - August 25, 2012 - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi

  6 - December 31, 2015 - Trivandrum International Stadium, Trivandrum

  7 - October 13, 2021 - Rasmee Dhandu Stadium, Male

  8 - October 13, 2021 - Rasmee Dhandu Stadium, Male

• March 19, 2025 18:37

  THIS WILL BE SUNIL CHHETRI’S SEVENTH APPEARANCE AGAINST MALDIVES

  Sunil Chhetri has faced Maldives six times in his career so far with the last meeting happening in 2021 in the group stages of the SAFF Championship. India beat Maldives 3-1, with Chhetri scoring a match-winning brace.

  The two strikes brought his tally up to eight goals against Maldives, which is the second most he has scored against a single opponent, behind Nepal (9).

• March 19, 2025 18:28

  FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME INDIA FACED MALDIVES

  IND vs MVD, International Friendly: What happened last time India faced Maldives?

  Find out what happened last time India faced Maldives ahead of their International Friendly match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday.

• March 19, 2025 18:17

  INDIA VS MALDIVES HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

  Played: 21

  India: 15

  Maldives: 4

  Draws: 2

• March 19, 2025 18:08

  CHHETRI IS BACK!

  Sunil Chhetri starts in first match after return from retirement in India vs Maldives

  Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri is set to start his first match after coming out of retirement, in the friendly game between India and Maldives.

• March 19, 2025 18:07

  MALDIVES STARTING XI

  Shareef (gk), Samooh Ali, Ahmed Numan, Yoosuf, Hassan, Aiham, Ibrahim, Hussaina, Naim, Hamza, Ali Fasir

• March 19, 2025 18:01

  INDIA STARTING XI

  Kaith (gk), Bheke, Bose, Mehtab, Colaco, Suresh, Brandon, Ayush Chhetri, Mahesh, Valpuia, Sunil Chhetri

• March 19, 2025 17:54

  LIVE STREAM AND TELECAST INFO

  The India vs Maldives International Friendly match will kick off at 7:00 PM IST on Wednesday, March 19 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.

  The match will be telecast on the StarSports Network. It will also be live-streamed on the JioHotstar app and website.

• March 19, 2025 17:41

  PREVIEW

  India vs Maldives friendly: Sunil Chhetri’s return in focus as Blue Tigers prepare for Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh

  The Indian senior men’s team is set to host Maldives in a FIFA International Friendly at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Wednesday.

• March 19, 2025 17:30

  HELLO!

  Welcome to Sportstar’s live blog of the India vs Maldives International Friendly match being played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.

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