Mugdha Das

Indian Football Icon Sunil Chhetri nets his 95TH during India vs Maldives

Digital Desk: India ended their 15-month international victory drought emphatically, securing a dominant 3-0 win over Maldives in the FIFA International Friendly at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Wednesday.

Veteran defender Rahul Bheke (34') and Player of the Match Liston Colaco (66') found the back of the net with towering headers off corner kicks, setting the stage for a commanding performance by the Blue Tigers. 

However, the biggest moment of the night came in the 76th minute when Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri scored his 95th international goal.

The result marked India's first victory under newly appointed Spanish head coach Manolo Márquez and served as a morale booster ahead of their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers match against Bangladesh at the same venue on March 25.

The historic evening saw Shillong host its first-ever senior men's international match, with excitement palpable from the outset. 

Chhetri, making a highly anticipated return to the national squad after 286 days, played his 152nd international game, further cementing his legendary status.