Sunil Chhetri returns, Brandon injured – what are the major talking points from India vs Maldives?
Sunil Chhetri returns, Brandon injured – what are the major talking points from India vs Maldives?
India started international football in 2025 with a friendly against Maldives at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Tuesday. The game serves as a dress-rehearsal for the AFC Asian Cup qualifier, against Bangladesh on March 25.
Sportstar looks at the major talking points from the game:
India’s record goalscorer Sunil Chhetri returned from international retirement, starting in the match against Maldives. The 40-year-old, who had hung up his boots after a goalless draw against Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, last year.
His return got sweeter when he found the net through a header in the 77th minute, netting his 95th goal in international football.
Brandon picked up a knee injury in the 37th minute and was helped out of the field soon, with Farukh Choudhary replacing him.
Though the extent of the injury has not been confirmed by head coach Manolo Marquez, the midfielder remains doubtful for the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh at the same venue on Tuesday.
Brandon’s injury poses serious challenges for Marquez, with the team already without first-team regulars Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Asish Rai with injury.
Rahul Bheke continued to be the danger-man under Marquez as he scored in back-to-back matches through set-pieces.
He had scored the equaliser against Malaysia in the last international match of 2024 and started this year on a high, opening the scoring for the Blue Tigers.
Liston Colaco became the most prominent forward on the pitch as scored and assisted a goal each in the 3-0 victory over Madives.
After having a lukewarm start to the match, the Mohun Bagan Super Giant player found his rhythm and began troubling the opposition defenders with ease.
Known for his powerful strikes off his boots, Colaco found the net on the night with a thumping header in the 66th minute. Just 10 minutes, the wily winger unleashed a curling cross from the left flank to find an onrushing Chhetri, who headed home.
