Indian footballers get into the groove ahead of AFC Asian Cup Qualifier

Indian senior men’s team have had two training sessions in Shillong

SHILLONG: The Indian senior men’s team have had two training sessions in Shillong to get into the groove for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifier against Bangladesh (March 25) and the preparatory friendly against Maldives (March 19).

Defender Rahul Bheke, who scored in India’s last match against Malaysia in November, said they had a good start to the camp, with two solid training sessions.

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“We still have two more days before our friendly, and that’s great preparation for the 25th game (against Bangladesh). I think Maldives will be a good test because they are a similar kind of side to what Bangladesh will be,” he said.

Maldives’ 22-member squad landed in the Meghalaya capital on Sunday and will have two training sessions before facing the Blue Tigers.

Bheke, who has faced Maldives once and Bangladesh twice before (all in 2021), felt that the three teams have undergone a lot of changes in the last four years.

“I have played against both teams before, but it’s been a few years since we last met them. I have seen their clips from recent matches. They are both good teams aiming to qualify for the Asian Cup. So, we need to do our best. These are two home matches that we surely need to win.”

On Sunil Chhetri’s comeback, Bheke said he really didn’t know that he was coming back to the national team.

“He told us his decision during BFC training the same day his return was announced. I think it’s a great thing for the team because at present, he is the leading Indian goalscorer in the league,” he said.