Blue Tigers Launch Asian Qualifiers Quest in Shillong
Shillong (Meghalaya) [ India ), March 15 (ANI): The India The senior men's team reached Shillong on Friday, March 14, prior to their opening match for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers against Bangladesh (March 25). To prepare for that, the Blue Tigers will play against Maldives on March 19, which is expected to make history when the capital of Meghalaya hosts the event. India The men's team will be seen in action for the first time, as reported by the AIFF Media Team.
While en route to the team’s accommodation, Manolo Marquez When they arrived, they found huge posters and billboards scattered throughout Shillong. The most unsurprising aspect of their welcome was the resurgence. Sunil Chhetri Amidst all those posters, there will be premieres of a kind – Chhetri’s ‘second premiere’ for the nation, with Meghalaya set to make its first international appearance.
Already riding high from hosting the India In the Irish Super League (ISL) for the first time this season, the introduction of the India A group within the city has taken the excitement to new heights. The tickets for India 's matches against Maldives and Bangladesh was made available starting this Friday.
Defender Sandesh Jhingan He said, “There’s always a great sense when returning to the national squad. Our team will play in Shillong for the first time, which is particularly thrilling because Meghalaya boasts a lively footballing tradition. We’re really excited about this match,” according to the AIFF Media Team.
Our primary objective is to achieve the outcome Bangladesh winning this match could provide us with an excellent beginning for the Asian Cup Qualifiers. Additionally, we have a 10-day training session scheduled before the game, followed by a friendly match. Maldives This will significantly aid our preparation for the upcoming matches. Our objective is to secure two shutout wins," stated the 31-year-old, who achieved eight clean sheets with FC Goa during this season's ISL.
The India The team conducted a 45-minute workout at the gym on Saturday morning and plans to do their first training session on the pitch later in the evening at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where they will be playing.
Concerning Chhetri’s comeback to the national squad, the head coach Manolo Marquez said, "Sunil is the India Top scorer in the ISL, with nearly twice as many goals as the second-place player, Brison. Following him are Subhasish, Irfan, Manvir—who are all part of our national team. We require forwards capable of scoring goals. In my first four games, we've managed just two goals—one from a set piece. Right now, securing wins is crucial; nothing else holds significance."
Chhetri has netted an impressive 12 goals this season, making it his most productive campaign in the ISL so far. These statistics are remarkable considering he celebrated his 40th birthday back in August of the previous year. In fact, the number of goals he has scored in the 2024-25 season alone exceeds the total from the prior two ISL seasons put together.
“Given the exceptional circumstances, I consulted both the AIFF and Bengaluru FC prior to reaching out to him. I had a conversation with Sunil where I clarified my expectations for his performance. Age isn’t an issue; what matters most is whether he’s playing at his best,” stated Marquez. (ANI)
