The first international game in Shillong gifts India a statement 3-0 victory over Maldives. The Blue Tigers have secured a win after 489 days, bringing the first victory under Manolo Marquez as well!

A dominant display from India put three past the Red Snappers. Rahul Bheke, Liston Colaco, and Sunil Chhetri all scored headers to hand India a confident victory!

India will go on to play against Bangladesh in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers on March 25th.

Dominant display in Shillong! 💥 😍

Bheke, Liston & Chhetri on the scoresheet as the #BlueTigers roar to victory! 🇮🇳⚽ #IndianFootball #BackTheBlue #Bheke #Liston #Chhetri #Footballindia #score pic.twitter.com/Cn8snJSjJ1

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) March 19, 2025

Three headers get the job done for India in Shillong! 🇮🇳💙#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/ZiD5VuJWub

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Apuia sliced a quick long-ranger from a distance, that went just inches off the left post.

Irfan Yadwad sent the ball into the net despite being flagged for offside. He received an instant yellow for delaying.

Maldives skipper Samooh Ali gets a booking for a frustrated foul on Farukh.

In: Usaama

Out: Sifaau

In: Raif, Nisham

Out: Madudhee, Aiham

In: Abhi Meitei, Irfan Yadwad, Ashique Kuruniyan

Out: Sunil Chhetri, Liston Colaco, Subhashish Bose

Rahul Bheke and Subhashish Bose made two consecutive blocks to keep the defence intact.

Just like he never left!

Mahesh's cross from the right was missed to be anticipated by Farukh. However, Liston anticipated in on the left and sailed a cross into the box, and Sunil Chhetri headed it behind as te ball easily found the back of the net!

95th International goal for the Indian skipper!

95TH GOAL FOR SUNIL CHHETRI 🔥🔥🔥

🇮🇳 INDIA 3-0 MALDIVES 🇲🇻

India is totally dominating the Gameplay 💪
pic.twitter.com/BYa69h1Cbl

— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) March 19, 2025

Hassan Nazeem had a first-time effort from close to the goal, but Vishal made a routine collection.

In: Hassan Nazeem, Naiz Hassan, Hussain Nihaan

Out: Hamza Ahmad, Ali Fazir, Mohamed Naim

Aiham Ahmad gets a yellow for a foul.

All the efforts have finally paid off for Liston Colaco!

Mahesh curled the corner right into the middle of the box as Liston jumped above the Maldives' defence and powered the header into the net!

India doubles up the lead!

That was a brilliant minus from the left by Farukh on the right, as Liston's first-time strike was marvelously denied by Shareef!

Naorem Mahesh took a quick strike from just the front of the box, but the ball went over the crosspiece.

In: Boris Singh, Apuia

Out: Suresh Wangjam, Valpuia

Farukh combined up with Chhetri before attempting to cut back a pass to the captain, instead of taking a shot at goal. The Maldives' defence closed him down, resulting in a crucial clearance.

Fasil played it to Ahmad Aiham whose flick failed to approach any power and went off the target.

In a similar way to the previous attack, Farukh had another opportunity from the corner of the penalty area but he overpowered his strike that soared over the bar.

Farukh had acres of space in front of him while running toward the goal from the left flank, but slipped down inside the box before having a strike.

Sunil Chhetri got a hold of the ball following Mahesh's corner, but Hamza Mohammed stretched his leg out on the bottom right corner to put up a brilliant goal-line block, denying Chhetri's efforts!

The second half is underway! ▶️
Let's go for more, India! 🙌

🇮🇳 1-0 🇲🇻

📺 @JioHotstar & @StarSportsIndia 3#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/H1eI4Dc49x

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Liston delivered another curler crossed in from the left, but no one at the other end to anticipate, leading the ball to roll away.

Sunil and Mahesh combined up in front of the box, as Valpuia got the ball on the right and whipped in a swift cross. Farukh got his head at the end of the cross but his header from an open space went totally off target, soaring past the left post.

This does not look very good for Manolo Marquez's team as Brandon was stretchered off the pitch around the 40th minute. 

Another injury blow for India.

In: Farukh Chaudhary

Out: Brandon Fernandes

Sifaau is booked for a tough foul on Liston.

There is an injury concern regarding Brandon Fernandes as he looks to have sustained an apparent injury.

The Indian midfielder is receiving medical attention.

Here comes the much-coveted goal for the Blue Tigers!

Another brilliant cross from the left corner, delivered by Brandon, and Rahul Bheke jumped above all in the middle of the six-yard-box and powered the header right into the net!

India takes the lead!

Brandon whizzed in a cross from the corner, but Mehtab Singh's header failed to find the net as the ball went over the crossbar.

Ali Fazir almost anticipated the cross inside the box but an important touch from Bheke inside the box cleared the danger away. After a string of passes, Ibrahim unleashed a powerful strike from a distance that soared over the crosspiece.

Suresh delivered a long ball over the top for Chhetri. The Indian skipper chased it into the penalty area but Maldives captain Samooh calmly cleared the ball away.

Liston Colaco whipped in another direct free-kick from around 25 yards out of goal, but his curling effort sailed inches past the right post!

Three golden opportunities from three set-pieces so far, but no goals from the Indian side!

Liston's right-footed curler whipped inside from the left flank but was too high to find Mahesh on the right end.

🇮🇳💙#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/ClS9HvGFgC

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Suresh whipped in a low cross that sailed past the players and found Brandon on the edge of the box, but his half-volleyed strike did not have much power and bounced off the pitch and went past the right-post.

Liston Colaco put up a glimpse of his dribbling skills as he squeezed past Sifaau inside the box and slotted a grounder from the left, but a slight interception from Numan cleared the danger away!

Another set-piece free-kick is delivered into the box by Brandon from a tough corner on the left, as Rahul Bheke flicked it to the top-left corner but missed the target by inches! Another opportunity goes begging for India!

Suresh attempts to play the ball down the right wing, but no one has made a run, and the ball rolls out for a goal kick.

Hamza Mohammed and Ibrahim combined up in a speedy counter-attack as Hamza curled a right-footed strike just from in front of the 18-yard box, but Rahul Bheke stood tall in blocking the strike.

Suresh Wangjam cut through the middle corridor with the ball, but Numan's soft tackle dispossessed him off the ball.

Sunil Chhetri fired into the box from the left as he delivered a low cross that was headed back toward Shareef by Samooh. The Maldives custodian slipped the ball, as Naorem had an opportunity from a close range, but a well-timed tackle from Sifaau denied the Indian forward.

The match is underway in Shillong!

IT'S KICK-OFF! ▶️
The Indian men's team's first-ever match in Meghalaya is underway! 💙

🇮🇳 0-0 🇲🇻

📺 @JioHotstar & @StarSportsIndia 3#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/lFehCSqmO3

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Inching towards kick-off! 🔜#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/tRTl16BKGk

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

✅ Checked in at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 🏟️🙌#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/g3EgGbeIRV

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Starting XI: Hussain Shareef (GK); Samooh Ali (C), Ahmed Numan, Hussain Yoosuf, Haisham Hassan; Ahmed Aiham, Aisam Ibrahim, Ibrahim Hussain, Mohammed Naim; Hamza Mohamed, Ali Fasir

Subs: Naiz, Irufaan, Raif, Nazeem, Aleem, Shifaz, Majeedh, Nizam, Madudhee, Nihan, Rizuvan, Rasheed, Yameen

Head Coach: Ali Suzain

Starting XI: Vishal Kaith (GK); Subhashish Bose, Rahul Bheke, Mehtab Singh, Valpuia; Ayush Chhetri, Suresh Wangjam; Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco, Naorem Mahesh Singh; Sunil Chhetri (C)

Subs: Gurmeet, Amrinder, Chinglensana, Sandesh, Farukh, Roshan, Jeakson, Apuia, Yadwad, Boris, Ashique, Abhishek

Head Coach: Manolo Marquez

Manolo Márquez names his India XI 🇮🇳 as Sunil Chhetri takes the ©️ armband. Once again. 🤩

Cap number 152. 💙#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/HqH31mV9m4

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

𝗔 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧-𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 #𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗚! 🐯

🇮🇳 India take on Maldives 🇲🇻 in the FIFA International Friendly at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 🏟️

🕖 19:00 IST
📺 @JioHotstar & @StarSportsIndia 3#INDMDV #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/3PxZVEvSCk

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Maldives head coach Ali Suzain and India head coach Manolo Marquez in the pre-match press conference.

India and Maldives 🇮🇳🇲🇻 will face each other for the 19th time since their first meeting in 1987 🔙#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/0UieprBWtl

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Indian football fans can watch the India vs Maldives friendly match streamed live on Star Sports Network. The match will also be streamed live on the JioHotstar App and the JioHotstar website.  

Match: India vs Maldives - FIFA International Friendly

Date: 19 March 2025  

Time: 7:00 PM IST  

Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, (Polo Ground), Shillong

Odisha FC crash out, as Mumbai secure all three points to go past the Juggernauts and finish the sixth position!

In: Thaer Krouma, Bipin Singh

Out: Jorge Ortiz, Vikram Pratap Singh

Sahil attempted to grab the long ball but slipped it on the other way, as Vikram found the ball on the right, but his strike was supremely blocked by Salah on the line!

Ortiz found a ball inside the six-yard box following an error from Roshan. but Sahil stayed tall and made a huge save to deny Ortiz from striking it.

Naorem Roshan Singh is shown a yellow for a foul.

Edgar Mendez receives a booking for a tough foul.

Sahil Poonia executed a brilliant save diving down to the ground, as Sahil Panwar made a clearance on the second ball.

In: Soham Varshneya

Out: Suresh Wangjam

Vikram Pratap fired into the box but his strike soared past the left post.

Shivaldo's header came unfruitful but Shivaldo's quick strike from close to the six-yard box went wide off the right post.

Vikram Pratap unleashed a blistering strike from the right that traveled a long distance before striking the crossbar following a fingertip touch from Sahil Poonia!

In: Mohamed Salah

Out: Namgyal Bhutia

In: Sahil Panwar, Jayesh Rane

Out: Nathan Rodrigues, Brandon Fernandes

Fanai gets booked for a foul.

Sunil Chhetri headed the ball in toward Mendez, who sprinted in one on one position against Lachenpa, but fired his strike just inches wide off the far post.

So close for the Blues!

In: Shivaldo Singh

Out: Vinith Venkatesh

In: Jon Toral

Out: Nikos Karelis

Ortiz attempted a quick strike from inside the box, but got blocked immediately.

In: Sivasakthi Narayanan

Out: Ryan Williams

Lachenpa made a timely outing to deny Sunil Chhetri from having a strike while close to the goal following a brilliant long ball.

Ryan Williams is shown the yellow for a nasty foul.

Nikos Karelis converted it with a powerful strike from the spot as the ball fired in through the right-bottom corner.

Jovanovic shielded Karelis inside the box, as the striker fell down and very shockingly, the referee called for a penalty!

Very, very poor decision!

Brandon Fernandes had an attempt from a distance, but got blocked.

Ryan Williams unleashed a strike from just the edge of the box, but Tiri threw himself on the line to execute a masterful block!

The game has mostly been played in the middle of the park for the last ten minutes, resulting in a slower approach from both sides.

Vicious grounded pass from Vikram from the right flank, but Sahil Poonia made a great save to punch the ball away, denying Karelis from a tap-in.

Jorge Ortiz chipped the ball powerfully from inside the box, which rattled the crossbar, but Karelis' header from the rebound went to the other way. However, Chhangte made no mistake in slotting the ball home from the right!

Chhangte and Brandon combined up front and found the back of the net as well, but the goal is disallowed due to offside.

The game is underway in Bengaluru! 

Making the final preparations as we approach #BFCMCFC ⚔️#ISL #AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/5NqKfMtnA8

— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) March 11, 2025

Rolling into the Fortress in style with a special entourage from @worldofriver! 🛵 #WeAreBFC #BFCMCFC #SUVOfScooters pic.twitter.com/KUNcmoDo7H

— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) March 11, 2025

Starting XI: Phurba Lachenpa (GK); Valpuia, Mehtab Singh, Tiri, Nathan Rodrigues; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Yoell Van Nieff, Brandon Fernandes; Vikram Pratap Singh, Nikos Karelis, Jorge Ortiz

Subs: Krouma, Franklin, Jayesh, Toral, Rehenesh, Bipin, Prabir, Sahil, Noufal

Head Coach: Petr Kratky

🚨 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐋𝐔𝐑𝐔 🚨

Here's the #StartingXI for today's crucial clash against Bengaluru FC 💪

Let's go, मुंबई! 🩵#BFCMCFC #ISL #AamchiCity 🔵 @etihad pic.twitter.com/EumWmRznZQ

— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) March 11, 2025

Starting XI: Sahil Poonia (GK); Namgyal Bhutia, Aleksander Jovanovic, Rahul Bheke, Naorem Roshan Singh; Vinith Venkatesh, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Suresh Wangjam; Ryan Williams, Edgar Mendez, Sunil Chhetri

Subs: Gurpreet, Harsh, Sivasakthi, Salah, Soham, Capo, Danu, Palande, Shivaldo

Head Coach: Gerard Zaragoza

𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒! 🗞️

Sahil makes his First Team debut. 🧤
Vinith starts in midfield. 🔗
Chhetri and Williams flank Mendez in attack. 🔵#WeAreBFC #ನೀಲಿಎಂದೆಂದಿಗೂ #BFCMCFC@batery_ai pic.twitter.com/mpNR0vrCRq

— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) March 11, 2025

“I want us to enter the playoffs on a positive note.” 🗣️

El Jefe has made his objective clear. Get your #BFCMCFC tickets 👉 https://t.co/liUS1pclPM. 🔵#WeAreBFC #ನೀಲಿಎಂದೆಂದಿಗೂ pic.twitter.com/DXzePlzwHo

— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) March 11, 2025

It’s all or nothing 👊#BFCMCFC #ISL #AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/MuaKPL8YAk

— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) March 11, 2025

Mumbai City FC is currently in seventh place with 33 points and needs just a draw to surpass Odisha FC, who is in sixth place with the same number of points, and qualify for the playoffs. However, the Islanders have not won any of their last four matches, recording two draws and two losses. Meanwhile, the Blues have secured a spot in the top six and are presently in fourth place with 38 points from 23 games.

On 2 October 2024, Mumbai City and Bengaluru shared a point apiece in a goalless stalemate at the Mumbai Football Arena in Mumbai.

The live telecast of the match will be available on the Star Sports network in India. The live streaming will also be available on the JioHostar App and website.

Match: Bengaluru FC vs Mumbai City FC

Date: 11 March 2025

Time: 7:30 pm IST

Venue: Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru