Kolkata: It took 485 days and 12 matches to end the winless streak, and on that memorable night, Sunil Chhetri contributed to the scoreline. The shadows of 2024 have been dispelled, and Manolo Marquez could not have wished for a better scenario as India prepares for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh, just a day short of a week away. The 3-0 victory against the Maldives in Shillong on Wednesday showcased a blend of precise passes and a solid defense, a rare combination in Indian football.

Vishal Kaith, Subhasish Bose, and Liston Colaco developed effective attacking strategies that bode well for India’s future. While the quality of crosses needs enhancement, Colaco and Noarem Mahesh Singh effectively utilized the width of the field. The defensive line and midfielders were not significantly challenged. “We could have moved the ball a bit quicker, but overall, I am pleased with the players' performance,” Marquez stated to the official broadcasters following his inaugural win as head coach of India.

The upcoming match against Bangladesh may present a different set of challenges, particularly as India will be without Manvir Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, and potentially Brandon Fernandes due to injuries. Nevertheless, the goals from Rahul Bheke and Colaco, along with Chhetri's near miss from a corner, demonstrated India's effectiveness in attacking set pieces. Chhetri's goal underscored his continued prowess, occurring 286 days after his retirement in Kolkata. Over 1742 minutes across 24 matches in ISL11, he has netted 12 goals and provided two assists, indicating he has not faded from prominence. Yet, the usually reserved Chhetri displayed visible emotion when he scored his 95th international goal.

Given their impressive performance, it was fitting that Mahesh and Colaco played pivotal roles in Chhetri’s goal, which came from a deft header in the 76th minute. With the Maldives' league inactive for two years, they were the least formidable opponents India has faced in the past 15 months, but one can only compete against those who are present. From defending corner kicks to making runs that opened up space for his teammates, Chhetri appeared sharper than he had been for India in 2024.

A long pass from Bheke indicated India's strategic approach. Although this initial attempt did not yield results, in the second minute, Colaco set up Chhetri, and Mahesh nearly capitalized on the Maldives' failure to clear the ball. Bheke scored in the 35th minute with a powerful effort typical of a central defender, just three minutes after Mehtab Singh had missed a free header. This goal was facilitated by Chhetri's jump, which distracted two defenders.

The goal resulted from India's sixth corner, out of a total of 13, with Mahesh taking the first one. By lobbing balls behind the defense and testing goalkeeper Hussain Shareef from a distance, Mahesh showcased the kind of performance East Bengal had hoped to see more frequently this season. Colaco skillfully controlled high passes with his feet as if they were effortless, taking on defenders before contributing with both a goal and an assist, marking his first goal for India.

“I can’t express how I feel; this achievement took four years,” he stated, dedicating his goal in the 76th minute to his family. Since gaining recognition under Marquez at Hyderabad FC, Colaco has demonstrated his ability to draw fouls and score with both feet, including a header during a match in Shillong.

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