Shillong (Meghalaya), Mar 18 – The stage is set for a thrilling encounter as the Indian senior men’s team prepares to face Maldives in a FIFA international friendly match at the revamped JN Stadium tomorrow. The match, scheduled to kick off at 7 pm, will be streamed live on JioHotstar and telecast on Star Sports 3.
This highly anticipated match marks a historic moment for Shillong, as the Blue Tigers will play in the city for the first time. Additionally, it will be India’s all-time top scorer Sunil Chhetri’s first match since announcing his return to international football.
India coach Manolo Márquez expressed his admiration for the city, stating, “Shillong’s ground, crowd, atmosphere – everything is nice.” The match serves as a preparatory ground for India ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier against Bangladesh on March 25.
This event culminates an impressive 12 months for the state, which has successfully attracted top-quality football events, including the prestigious Durand Cup and three Indian Super League matches.
