India fell to a 0–1 defeat against hosts Bangladesh in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Group C match at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Tuesday.
A 12th-minute strike from Shekh Morsalin proved decisive, despite India dominating large spells of the second half. Earlier in the day, Singapore sealed the group’s top spot and booked their Asian Cup berth with an 11-point tally after a 2–1 win over Hong Kong, China. Hong Kong remain second with eight points, while Bangladesh and India sit third and fourth with five and two points, respectively.
Lallianzuala Chhangte earned his 50th international cap, while head coach Khalid Jamil handed debuts to Mohammed Sanan and Lalremtluanga Fanai off the bench.
After a cagey start, Bangladesh struck on the counter from an India long throw. Rakib Hossain burst down the left and squared a low ball to an unmarked Morsalin, who slotted past Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
India regrouped quickly and began stitching together chances. Suresh Singh Wangjam miscued a 17th-minute attempt from distance, while Nikhil Prabhu saw his long-range effort blocked moments later.
India’s best opportunity in the first half arrived just after the half-hour mark when Rahim Ali closed down goalkeeper Mitul Marma to win possession. He squared it to Macarton Louis Nickson, who released Chhangte for a shot at an empty goal, only for Hamza Choudhury to make a brave headed block.
The Blue Tigers continued to push forward. Anwar Ali rose well to meet a Chhangte corner in the 35th minute but was denied by another clearance. Minutes later, he flicked on a long throw for Rahim, whose back-volley went off target. At the other end, Choudhury tried his luck with a volley on the stroke of half-time, sending it inches wide.
India began the second half with greater urgency as Naorem Mahesh Singh replaced Prabhu, immediately adding creativity to the attack. Suresh swung in a free-kick from the left that Rahul Bheke headed goalwards, but Bangladesh’s backline scrambled it clear before Rahim could pounce.
Sanan’s introduction energised India even further. In the 66th minute, he cut inside after dumbing his marker, but Marma saved his effort. A minute later, Sanan delivered a precise cross for an unmarked Brison Fernandes, who headed wide. With 15 minutes left, Sanan had another sight at goal from a loose ball at a corner, but Marma stretched to tip his side-footed volley away.
Bangladesh threatened on the break and nearly doubled their lead in the 79th minute when Topu Barman’s long-range strike was collected by a diving Gurpreet.
India continued to chase an equaliser. In the 84th minute, a counter involving Vikram Partap Singh and Brison Fernandes looked promising, though Vikram was pulled back as play rolled on.
Despite India’s sustained pressure, Bangladesh held firm to claim all three points.
India will face Hong Kong in their final AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers match on March 31, 2026.
(IANS)