INDIA VS MALDIVES

Captain Chhetri comes out of retirement to score in India's first win in 16 months

Sunil Chhetri came out of retirement to score in a thumping 3-0 win for India against Maldives in a FIFA international friendly in Shillong.

Chhetri's return to captain the Men in Blue after announcing his international retirement last June was also special because it ended India's 16-month wait for a win. India had last won a match in November 2023.

Rahul Bheke (35) and Liston Colaco (66) scored before Chhetri netted with a sublime glancing header in the 77th minute to take his tally to 95, retaining his position as the fourth-highest goalscorer in international football behind Cristiano Ronaldo (135), Lionel Messi (112) and former Iran star Ali Daei (108). All three of India's goals were from headers.

For Head Coach Manolo Marquez, the game and its morale-boosting result was the perfect warm-up for India's AFC Asian Cup qualifier against a charged-up Bangladesh on March 25. The arrival of former Premier League player Hamza Choudhury has bolstered the neighbours.

But this Maldives friendly was more than just a dress rehearsal for the clash of neighbours. It was special for India's iconic striker, who, at 40, showed why he deserved to be called out of retirement.

The Bengaluru FC striker had been mostly silent in the first half, where despite dominating possession, India struggled to break Maldives for 30 minutes. It took a perfect corner from Brandon Fernandes and a towering header from defender Bheke to break the deadlock.

Fernandes was stretchered off with a foot injury shortly after India took the lead, but there was no stopping the attacks. India tested Maldives with a flurry of crosses, but the visitors thwarted those advances. India were also guilty of not finishing properly.

India began the second half strongly and Chhetri almost scored, only to be denied on the goal-line by Hamza Mohamed. The India captain was in disbelief, because he was prepared to celebrate. Meanwhile, Farukh Choudhary, who came in as a substitute, kept India lively in the final third. He combined well with Chhetri. Shortly after Mahesh Singh hit one over the bar, the energetic Colaco doubled India's lead. Yet, again, it was a header, this time at the far post, where Colaco connected perfectly to score his first for the country.

There were hardly any chances at the other end, and Vishal Kaith had a relatively calm evening, making just a few stops, including a Hassan Nazem effort. But India kept the chances flowing at the other end. Colaco forced a fine save from the Maldives keeper, before the finest goal of the evening was scored.

Chhetri had made a run for a Mahesh cross, which went behind the striker. But Colaco recycled it at the far end, and Chhetri, the ever-active poacher, sensed an opportunity. He made a clever run toward the near post, and Colaco found him with a perfect ball. It still needed some finishing, and Chhetri glanced a header at the far post and casually walked away like it was just another day in the office.