Sunil Chhetri is set to participate in the forthcoming friendly match against the Maldives on Wednesday, March 19. Earlier this month, it was announced that the Indian football icon is coming out of retirement to support the national team during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. On the eve of the match against the Maldives, India’s head coach, Manolo Marquez, confirmed that Chhetri will take part in the game.

Marquez expressed uncertainty regarding whether the 40-year-old Chhetri would start the match or enter as a substitute. Nevertheless, he assured that fans would witness the former captain of India in action for a portion of the game.

The head coach emphasized that age is merely a number, indicating that Chhetri will remain part of the squad as long as he maintains his fitness. Should Chhetri take to the field against the Maldives, he will earn his 152nd cap for the Indian national team.

"Certainly, Sunil will play for some minutes. I am unsure if he will start or come off the bench. We have the option of making six substitutions, allowing 17 players to participate, and I believe Sunil will be among them," Marquez stated during the pre-match press conference.

He is the Indian player who has scored the most goals this season. Age is irrelevant, whether a player is 20, 40, or even my grandfather at 87. If they are in superior physical condition, they will be included. The national team’s focus is not on player development; rather, it is essential that experienced players are present. The primary objective of the team is to secure victories. To achieve this, we must select players who are in optimal shape, he stated.

Marquez also expressed his intention to win the match against the Maldives. He expressed confidence in his players, assuring that the national team would not repeat past errors.

"This is a friendly match intended to prepare for the Asian Cup qualifier. Naturally, our goal is to win. We recognized that the aim during the previous FIFA windows was to arrive in the best possible form for the first competitive match against Bangladesh next Tuesday," he remarked.

"I do not anticipate that the same lineup will face Bangladesh as will play tomorrow. While it is not feasible to change all 11 players, some will certainly be retained for Tuesday. I have faith in all my players. This match must serve as both a good game and effective preparation for Bangladesh," he concluded.

Read Also: AB de Villiers on Virat Kohli: 'Outside Noise Influences His Game'

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!