Shillong, Feb 19: Mahesh Gawali, Assistant Coach of the Indian senior men’s football team, has hailed Meghalaya’s Jawaharlal Nehru (JN) Stadium as “one of the best football grounds in the country” following his recent visit to Shillong. Gawali’s remarks came after inspecting the stadium and practice facilities in preparation for two major international football matches scheduled for March.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed that JN Stadium will host a FIFA friendly match against the Maldives on March 19 and an AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round match against Bangladesh on March 25.

Gawali expressed his admiration for the renovated stadium, noting the quality of the pitch, stands, and changing rooms. During the visit, Gawali, along with Meghalaya Football Association Vice-President Cliff Nongrum, also discussed ongoing improvements to the practice ground, including the potential installation of portable changing rooms. Gawali emphasized that with permanent facilities, Shillong could become a premier destination for international-level football.