The Indian senior men’s football team landed in Shillong on Friday, March 14, 2025, ahead of their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers opener against Bangladesh on March 25. Before the crucial clash, the Blue Tigers will take on Maldives in a friendly on March 19, marking a historic moment as Shillong hosts the Indian men’s team for the first time.
Shillong has been buzzing with excitement since the team’s arrival, with large posters and advertisement boards welcoming Manolo Márquez and his squad. The spotlight, as expected, was on the legendary Sunil Chhetri, who makes his much-anticipated return to the national team. While Meghalaya prepares to host its first-ever international match, Chhetri’s comeback has been dubbed his ‘second debut’ for India.
With Meghalaya already experiencing football fever after hosting the Indian Super League (ISL) this season, the arrival of the Indian squad has further heightened the excitement. Tickets for the matches against Maldives and Bangladesh went on sale on Friday at onlybees.in.
Jhingan Eyes Strong Start in Qualifiers
Defender Sandesh Jhingan expressed his enthusiasm about playing in Shillong, emphasizing the state’s deep-rooted football culture. “It’s always special to be back in the national camp. This is the first time we will be playing in Shillong, and it’s an exciting prospect,” he said.
Jhingan highlighted the importance of the upcoming fixtures, particularly the match against Bangladesh. “Our main focus is to start the Asian Cup Qualifiers with a strong result. The 10-day training camp, along with the friendly against Maldives, will be crucial for our preparation. Our goal is to secure two clean-sheet victories,” said the 31-year-old defender, who registered eight clean sheets for FC Goa in the ISL this season.
The Indian squad began their training with a 45-minute gym session on Saturday morning, followed by their first on-field practice at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the evening.
Márquez on Chhetri’s Return: “Form Matters, Not Age”
Head coach Manolo Márquez defended his decision to recall Sunil Chhetri, pointing to his stellar form in the ISL. “Sunil has been the top Indian goal-scorer this season, with almost double the goals of the next player, Brison. Then we have Subhasish, Irfan, and Manvir—all key attacking players in our squad. We need goal-scorers,” Márquez stated.
India has struggled in front of goal under Márquez, netting only twice in four matches. “At this moment, results are the priority. Nothing else matters,” the coach emphasized.
Chhetri, who turned 40 in August last year, has defied age with a remarkable 12-goal tally in the 2024-25 ISL season—more than his combined goals in the previous two campaigns. “Before calling him up, I had discussions with AIFF and Bengaluru FC. I also spoke with Sunil to explain what I expect from him. His age is not a concern; what matters is his form, and right now, the national team needs players who can deliver,” Márquez concluded.
With preparations in full swing, the Blue Tigers are determined to make a strong statement in Shillong as they aim for a winning start in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers.