India vs Maldives Player Ratings: Sunil Chhetri & Liston Colaco shine; Farukh disappoints

India put in an impressive performance against the Red Snappers en route to their 3-0 win.

India picked up their first win of 2025 with a 3-0 thrashing of the Maldives national team at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong on Wednesday (19 March, 2025).

Rahul Bheke put his side in the lead with a header in the first half, before Liston Colaco and the returning Sunil Chhetri got amongst the goals to help Manolo Marquez’s side win their first game in over 480 days! Here are the Player Ratings for the game.

India (by Uttiyo Sarkar)

Vishal Kaith – 6.0

Kaith had a relatively comfortable return to international football. Barely threatened by the opposition players, but looked sharp in goal.

Hmingthanmawia – 6.5

The Mumbai City defender was an energetic presence on the right, being proactive with his darting forward runs. Linked up nicely with Mahesh Singh and was defensively studry, stopping a number of fast-breaks.

Rahul Bheke – 8.0

Bheke commanded a really sturdy defensive line, being really proactive in cutting out Maldives’ counter-attack attempts and coming up with key clearances. Popped up in the right place with a thunderous header to put his side ahead.

Mehtab Singh – 7.0

Mehtab was proactive at the back, reading the opposition’s moves well to come up with some vital challenges. Moved the ball along well.

Subhasish Bose – 6.0

Subhasish was caught in a few awkward positions at times and occasionally struggled with the fast-breaks. But he was mostly rock solid on the left, coming up with timely clearances to neutralize the opposition threat.

Ayush Chhetri – 7.5

Chhetri had a memorable India debut, being a breath of fresh air in the heart of midfield. He used his physicality and ball-winning ability to torment the opposition midfielders, often regaining possession and stopping their flow through the central areas.

Suresh Singh – 7.0

Suresh was full of energy in midfield, hassling the opposition midfielders with his brilliant pressing. He regained possession many times in key areas with his ball-winning ability and helped move the ball forward smoothly.

Naorem Mahesh Singh – 7.5

Mahesh Singh had a really lively evening and was at the heart of a lot of India’s promising moments. He helped linked up sweet attacking moves with his clever touches and flicks. Assisted the second goal with a pinpoint cross and tested the goalkeeper with some venomous efforts too.

Brandon Fernandes – 7.0

Brandon missed a decent scoring chance early on, but was pinpoint with his creativity. He delivered a number of inviting crosses from corners and assisted Bheke’s opener with a perfect cross. AN injury forced him to be taken off in the first half.

Liston Colaco – 8.5

Colaco was able to bring his club form to the international level, being an absolute nightmare for the Maldives defenders. He tormented them with his clever dribbles and movement, often creating chances with his delivery. Scored a nice header from a set-piece and then assisted Chhetri’s goal with a perfect cross.

Sunil Chhetri – 7.5

The India captain showed no signs of weariness in his return to the international stage. He was a threat with his movement and link-up play, creating some nice chances in the first half. Scored a solid header for his 95th goal .

Substitutes

Farukh Chaudhary – 5.5

Farukh was able to get the end of a lot of attacking chances through the right wing after coming on. But his final product was underwhelming, as he wasted a few chances and often failed to find out teammates in key areas.

Lalengmawia Ralte – 6.0

Apuia added more steel to the Indian midfield, cutting out Maldives moves. Kept the ball moving forward swiftly and had a late shot go wide.

Boris Singh – 6.5

Boris was an energetic presence in his India debut. He helped drive the ball forward through the wide and looked sharp.

Ashique Kuruniyan – 6.0

Kuruniyan made a few nice moves with the ball, and had a late inviting cross cleared away.

Abhishek Singh – 6.0

The Punjab FC defender was quick and precise with his defending in his international debut.

Irfan Yadwad – 6.0

Troubled Maldives with his clever running late on, but his final product wasn’t the sharpest.

ALSO READ: Who are the top 11 active goalscorers in international football?

Maldives (by Anuj T)

Hussain Shareef- 5

Made some saves for his side, however ultimately conceded three goals on a tough night between the sticks

Samooh Ali- 4.5

Was far from his best for his team on the night. A night to forget for the defender.

Ahmed Numan- 5

Made some last ditch challenges for his team, but was unable to step up in the second half.

Yoosuf- 5

A night to forget for Yoosuf as he was unable to stop Indian attack from scoring.

Hassan Shifaz- 4.5

Was beaten far too easily by the Indian attackers on the night. A disappointing outing for him in Maldivian colors.

Haisham Hassan- 5

Made some crucial blocks and defended with his body, however unable to defend against India’s attack after the break.

Ibrahim Aisham- 5

Lost the midfield battle far too easily, wasn’t able to influence the game. Tough night against a relentless Suresh Singh.

Hussain Nihan- 4.5

He wasn’t able to ignite Maldives’ offense on the night and was a reason for their stagnation of not scoring a goal against the Blue Tigers.

Mohamed Naim- 4.5

Had some chances but didn’t make the right decision and lost possession far too cheaply. A night to forget.

Hamza Mohammed- 5

Had some good looks in the first half and seemed like the most threatening player, however went absent in the second half.

Ali Fasir- 5

Wasteful in front of goal and ineffective against a resolute Indian backline. Fasir will be disappointed for not being able to find his side the killer touch.

Substitutes

Hassan Nazeem- 5

Came on as a substitute, but couldn’t find the breakthrough for Maldives. Didn’t have an opportunity in front of goal.

Hassan Naiz- 5

Naiz disappoints, didn’t have enough minutes to showcase what he is capable of. An off night for the Maldivian attacker.

Hussain Nihaan- 4.5

Nihaan was ineffective coming off the bench as the game was already far off for his side. He couldn’t produce the desired spark for coach Cabrera.

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