India will take on the Maldives in a friendly match at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Wednesday. This game is not just a warm-up; rather, it offers both teams a valuable chance to test their strategies before the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

India Seeks First Win Under Marquez

So far, India has struggled under head coach Manolo Marquez. The team has recorded three draws and two losses in its last five matches. Moreover, India has not won a single game in 2024. Their last victory came in November 2023 against Kuwait. Therefore, they need to improve quickly before the qualifiers. Additionally, injuries have added to their challenges. Forward Lallianzuala Chhangte will miss the game, which weakens India’s attack. As a result, their chances of securing a win have become even more difficult.

Maldives Prepares for Qualifiers

On the other hand, the Maldives sees this match as a key opportunity to refine its tactics. Unlike India, they have a fully fit squad. Consequently, their coach has more options to experiment with different strategies before the AFC Asian Cup qualification campaign.

India’s Strong Record Against Maldives

Historically, India has dominated this matchup. Out of 21 encounters, India has won 15 times, while the Maldives has won only four, with two matches ending in draws. Furthermore, their last meeting was in the 2021 SAFF Championship, where India secured a convincing 3-1 victory.

Head-to-Head Record

India played 21 Matches against Maldives, out of which India won 15 and Maldives won 4 matches and 2 matches were drawn. Meanwhile, India’s coach, Manolo Marquez, stressed the importance of this match. He wants his team to be fully prepared for their crucial qualifier against Bangladesh next Tuesday. "It's a friendly game to prepare for the Asian Cup qualifier. Obviously, we want to win. We knew that the target during the previous FIFA windows was to arrive in the best possible condition for the first competitive match against Bangladesh next Tuesday," Marquez said. Similarly, Maldives coach Ali Suzain expressed confidence in his team. Although they have not played many international matches recently, he believes in their strengths and is determined to help them perform at their best. "Although we haven't played much at the international level these days, I have been with these players for a long time. I know them very well and I know their strengths and weaknesses and how to work on them. The players also have confidence in me. Maldives is a football country. Every island has football pitches. We will give our best for the people of Maldives," he said.

Why This Match Matters

Overall, this match serves as a crucial test for both teams. India needs a win to regain confidence, whereas the Maldives wants to evaluate its squad before the qualifiers. Therefore, both teams will focus on improving their tactics and performance. With so much at stake, this friendly promises to be an intense and exciting encounter. Match is scheduled to play on Wednesday, 19 March. Viewers can see the live streaming of this match at Star Sports 3 and Jio Hotstar.