India’s Blue Tigers roar in Shillong for the first time vs Maldives

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 18, 2025

The Indian senior men’s team is set to make history as they play in Shillong for the first time, taking on Maldives in a FIFA international friendly at the newly renovated JN Stadium on March 19. Kick-off is at 7 PM, with live streaming on JioHotstar and telecast on Star Sports 3.

This match is a crucial warm-up for coach Manolo Márquez’s squad ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier against Bangladesh on March 25. Adding to the occasion, India’s all-time top scorer Sunil Chhetri is set to make his much-anticipated return to international football.

These two international matches cap off a remarkable year for football in Meghalaya. From hosting the prestigious Durand Cup last summer to staging Indian Super League matches, the state has steadily emerged as a footballing hub. Key decisions, such as converting the JN Stadium’s artificial turf to natural grass and enhancing infrastructure, have made Shillong an attractive destination for high-profile games.

At the pre-match press conference, Márquez expressed his admiration for Shillong, saying, “It is the first time we are playing here but I have worked with a lot of coaches and players from here. I knew it’s a very nice place. I remember when I watched the Durand Cup in Shillong last year, I said, ‘Wow, the ground, crowd, atmosphere, everything is nice.’ I’m not joking, I said it’d be great if one day, the national team could play here.”

Defender Mehtab Singh echoed his coach’s sentiments. “It feels great to be in Shillong. Football is the biggest sport here, and the passion is incredible. Bringing the national team to new regions is fantastic for Indian football,” he said.

For Márquez, tomorrow’s game is crucial to fine-tune his team before the must-win qualifier against Bangladesh. “It’s a friendly, but we want to win. Our goal has been to arrive in the best possible shape for next Tuesday’s game,” he added. He also confirmed that Chhetri will feature in the match, marking his 152nd cap for India.

Ranked 162 in the world, 36 places below India, Maldives are also using this fixture to prepare for their Asian Cup qualifier against the Philippines. Maldives head coach Ali Suzain acknowledged India’s strength but promised a competitive match, saying, “India and Maldives are two strong sides in this region. We will give our best.”

Shillong is set for a thrilling night of football as the Blue Tigers take center stage in the football-loving North East.