IND vs MVD, International Friendly: What happened last time India faced Maldives?
IND vs MVD, International Friendly: What happened last time India faced Maldives?
India will face Maldives in a FIFA International Friendly on Wednesday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, in what will be a dress rehearsal for its AFC Asian Cup Qualifier against Bangladesh.
Despite being a friendly match, all eyes will be on veteran Sunil Chhetri, who will feature in his first match for India since announcing his return to international football.
India, placed 136th in the world, will face 162nd-ranked Maldives for the first time since 2021.
The last time India faced Maldives was during the 2021 SAFF Championship group stage where the Blue Tigers secured a 3-1 win. Manvir Singh opened the scoring for India while Chhetri scored a match-winning brace.
India took the lead through Manvir, who rifled the ball into the top right corner with a powerful right-footed strike in the 33rd minute. However, a penalty after Pritam Kotal’s challenge on Hamza Mohamed allowed Maldives to equalise as Ali Ashfaq made it all square from the spot.
Chhetri put India in the ascendancy with a magnificent volley in the 62nd minute and doubled his goal tally with another goal in the 71st minute as he nodded home Kotal’s cross.
Published on Mar 19, 2025
