India vs Maldives Highlights: Sunil Chhetri scored on his international comeback as India outplayed Maldives 3-0 in their friendly match at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong, Meghalaya on Wednesday. Rahul Bheke drew the first blood through a superb header in the 35th minute to put India in the lead. It was another impressive header, this time from Liston Colaco in the 66th minute, that doubled the team's lead. Then came the much-awaited goal from India captain Sunil Chhetri, that also being a header, in the 76th minute. This was the first match for Indian football legend Chhetri post making a retirement U-turn. It was a perfect boost for India before they start their campaign in AFC Asian Cup qualification third round with a match against Bangladesh on March 25.
Here are the Highlights of International Friendly between India and Maldives -
- 21:23 (IST)India vs Maldives LIVE: It's a wrap!Okay, folks, that is it from the India vs Maldives international friendly. We hope you liked our coverage for the game. Stay connected to NDTV Sports for more. Good-bye.
- 20:57 (IST)India vs Maldives LIVE: India win!!!There is the final whistle from the referee and India have won this game by a 3-0 margin. They have simply outplayed Maldives in this international friendly to register their first win after 489 days. Meanwhile, what a memorable comeback this is for India legend Sunil Chhetri! He too got his name on the scoresheet with a superb header.
- 20:45 (IST)
- 20:34 (IST)
- 20:17 (IST)India vs Maldives LIVE: Not in control!56' - Liston tried to put a cross from the left flank but his curling shot went over the post. Farukh then got a pass on the edge of the circle from Chhetri. He needed to take a direct hit from there but he decided to pass the ball back to a running Chhetri at the middle and India lost the ball possession as it was intercepted.
- 20:07 (IST)
- 19:51 (IST)
- 19:40 (IST)India vs Maldives LIVE: Bheke in down!38' - Not a good sight this is! Brandon Fernandes has been tackled down and he seems to be in trouble. He could not even walk and now he is being stretchered off. Farukh replaces him in the field and the play resumes. Wait! Farukh has not been able to make it to the pitch yet and India are playing with 10 man.
- 19:35 (IST)India vs Maldives LIVE: GOAL!!!Rahul Bheke has scored the opening goal!!! It is a stunning header from the star player on a hit from the corner taken by Brandon, and India are 1-0 against Maldives in the 35th minute. It was a curling ball and Bheke timed his jump and header to perfection to put India in the lead.
- 19:17 (IST)India vs Maldives LIVE: Another chance goes begging!15’ - Liston was asking for a foul to be given to Maldives player Hussain after he was tackled on the left flank but referee denied the request. India though got a freekick. The chance went begging as a cross failed to find a proper touch by Indian players inside the box.
- 19:05 (IST)India vs Maldives LIVE: Chance there!It is the just the second minute of the game and India came really close to scoring the first goal. Sunil Chhetri showed good cleverless to run with the ball from the left flank and chip it towards the centre when being inside the box, but Maldives' defender came in between and averted the threat.
- 18:42 (IST)Sunil Chhetri LIVE: An unexpected U-turn!The 40-year-old Sunil Chhetri came out of his international retirement earlier this month to help the team successfully navigate the qualifiers for the continent's top football tournament, starting with the March 25 clash. The preparatory match for Manolo Marquez's side marks a historic moment as the Blue Tigers will play in the football-crazy hill town for the first time.
- 17:49 (IST)