India failed to secure a win due to poor finishing in the final third. The match against Bangladesh in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers ended in a goalless draw. It took place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Tuesday.
Another Draw in the Rivalry
This result marked the 11th draw between the two teams in 29 meetings. Their last encounter on Indian soil ended 1-1 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in 2019.
Missed Opportunity for a Strong Start
Manolo Marquez’s team missed a great chance to start the qualifiers with a win. The home crowd backed them, but they could not convert opportunities. Meanwhile, Singapore and Hong Kong also drew 0-0 in the other Group C match.
Bangladesh Starts Aggressively
Bangladesh started strong with aggressive play. They almost scored in the 12th minute, but Subhasish Bose cleared the ball off the line. Then, Emon had another chance in the 18th minute but missed his header. A minute later, Bangladesh suffered a setback when Topu Barman injured his ankle. As a result, he left the field in the 22nd minute.
India Responds with Attacking Moves
India responded with an attacking move. Liston Colaco took a powerful free-kick, but Rahmat deflected it for a corner. Soon after, Colaco and Udanta Singh combined well, setting up Farukh Choudhary. However, Bangladesh's goalkeeper, Mitul Marma, saved his low shot.
Persistent Efforts Before Halftime
Marquez’s team kept pushing forward. Colaco, Choudhary, and Sunil Chhetri led the attack. However, poor finishing prevented them from scoring. Just before halftime, Bangladesh nearly took the lead. Vishal Kaith made a crucial one-on-one save against Mojibur Rahman Jony. Consequently, the first half ended 0-0.
Second-Half Chances Go Unused
India had a big chance in the 58th minute. Chhetri’s header was blocked by Hamza Choudhury. Five minutes later, Colaco and Chhetri connected again from a corner, but Chhetri’s shot went over the bar.
Tactical Substitutions and More Missed Chances
Marquez made changes in the 66th minute. He brought in Suresh Singh Wangjam and Naorem Mahesh Singh for Ayush Chhetri and Udanta Singh. Bose, who had earlier saved a goal, got two chances. In the 68th minute, he struck a powerful long-range shot but missed by inches. Four minutes later, his header from Colaco’s corner went wide.
Final Attempts in Vain
India had another late opportunity. Mahesh sent a perfect cross to Chhetri, but he missed his header. On the other hand, Bangladesh also got a final chance. Sohel took a powerful shot from outside the box, but Vishal Kaith made a strong save.
Disappointing Outcome for India
The final whistle confirmed a disappointing draw for India. They dropped crucial points at home. Looking ahead, the Blue Tigers will now face Hong Kong in an away match on June 10, 2025.
