3 winners & 2 losers from India's mixed-bag of a March international break

India played a 0-0 draw against Bangladesh in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifier.

The Indian football team had a bit of a strange beginning to 2025 on the international stage. They played two games during the March (2025) international break, which included a friendly against the Maldives and an AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Bangladesh.

The results were rather topsy-turvy. While the Blue Tigers picked up a compelling 3-0 win over the Red Snappers, they failed to replicate their heroics in the Asian Cup Qualifiers opener. India were frustrated by Bangladesh, failing to find that cutting-edge final product and being forced to accept a 0-0 draw.

There were quite a few positives from the results, while there were also some concerning factors that must be looked into. Here we look at the 3 winners and 2 losers from the Indian team in the March international matches.

Winners

3. Lalengmawia Ralte

The Mohun Bagan midfielder proved his quality in the match against Bangladesh despite facing a challenging midfield battle against Hamza Choudhury & co.

He only had a substitute’s outing against the Maldives, looking sharp in the final stages and helping his side dominate the final stretch of the game. However, Apuia really shone through in the game against the Bengal Tigers, holding his own against the Sheffield United man in midfield.

He was really proactive in moving all through the game to cut out the opponents’ movement through central areas, making crucial tackles and regaining possession many times. He earned a Man of the Match award for his impressive display in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers kick-off and has solidified his hold onto a midfield position for India.

2. Subhasish Bose

Subhasish Bose was arguably the most in-form Indian defender heading the March internationals knowing his heroics for Mohun Bagan in the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) league stages.

Well, he met the expectations around him with a few sturdy performances in the backline for his side. Bose was pretty solid against the Maldives, working hard to neutralize their threat through his side despite having a few shaky moments. However, he reserved his very best for the clash against the Bangladesh side.

Bose was lively and amped up for the game against the Bengal Tigers, covering a lot of distance to frustrate them on the left side. The Mohun Bagan skipper made a vital goal-saving block early in the first half and made a number of key challenges to nullify Bangladesh’s threat. He played a key role in helping his side keep two clean sheets and maintain his impressive work this season.

1. Liston Colaco

Liston Colaco was arguably the biggest positive from the Indian football team in their two matches during the March international break. The winger was given utmost freedom to play his natural game by Manolo Marquez and absolutely thrived because of the limitlessness.

Liston was a menacing factor for India in both their matches, tormenting defenders with his presence through the left side. He score his first international goal against the Maldives and also produced a sweet assist for Sunil Chhetri’s goal against the Red Snappers. Liston was also India’s biggest threat in the attacking front against the Bangladesh, constantly harassing their defenders with his speedy forward runs and dribbles into the final third.

The Mohun Bagan winger whipped in a number of inviting crosses against Bangladesh, as well as creating chances from set-pieces. He was absolutely robbed off at least an assist by his teammates’ poor finishing skills, but his electric performances prove why Liston will be a key asset for India for years to come.

Losers

2. Vishal Kaith

With Gurpreet Singh Sandhu excluded from the Indian squad for the March games, Vishal Kaith received a huge chance to consolidate his hold on the no.1 role. It can’t be said that he managed to do that in compelling fashion. Kaith was not really made to work much by the Maldives because of how impressive his defensive set-up was. However, when put under pressure by Bangladesh, he nearly crumbled.

Kaith almost gifted an opening goal in the first minute to the Bengal Tigers with a botched clearance and was lucky that Jony missed his chance. Minutes later, he scuffed a clearance to gift another open goal chance for Bangladesh that Bose cleared off the line. Kaith’s distribution was weary and he panicked hwen put under pressure, urging the Bangladeshi players to press him down to force errors.

He misplaced many passes, putting his defenders under unnecessary pressure. Kaith’s nervousness definitely hampered his reputation at the international stage and his performances probably gives a bigger chance for Gurpreet to take back his no.1 post soon.

1. Farukh Choudhary

Farukh Choudhary earned Manolo Marquez’s trust with his impressive performances in the final international breaks of 2024. He scored a superb goal in India’s 1-1 draw against Vietnam and his good work at the international level earned him chances in the March international break. However, the Chennaiyin FC man failed to take up his opportunities properly.

He came on as a substitute against the Maldives but was really wasteful in the final third. Choudhary missed a number of prominent chances in his late cameo, and failed to set up his teammates from promising situations too. That pattern continued as he got a start against the Bangladesh. Farukh failed to put away a pretty decent chance in the first half from close range inside the box.

He couldn’t create anything noteworthy, being boxed in by the Bangladeshi players and isolated in harmless positions. Unless Farukh can build himself to be a more clinical threat in the final third and be accurate with his final product, his future for the Indian side looks bleak.