India ends its opening AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier match in a goalless draw against Bangladesh tonight at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong. In their last meeting, they shared the points, and tonight, after attempting various goal-bound moves, both teams failed to break the deadlock and took one point each to start the campaign.
Both India and Bangladesh displayed a hard-fought defensive game. Right after the kickoff, India gave a chance to their neighbours. Within the first few minutes, Bangladesh launched an attack from which Vishal Kaith collected the ball but mispassed it to opposition player Johny, who attempted a shot, but the ball went out after brushing the side netting.
Both India and Bangladesh displayed a hard-fought defensive game throughout the match. Right after the kickoff, India gave a chance to their neighbours. Within the first few minutes, Bangladesh launched an attack from which Vishal Kaith collected the ball but mispassed it to opposition player Johny, who attempted a shot, but the ball went out after brushing the side netting.
In the 12th minute, Bangladesh earned a corner from which a threat arose. The corner kick was easily grabbed by Vishal, however, as he tried to clear the ball, Ridoy intercepted it and took a shot towards the net, but Subhasish made a stunning goal-line save.
In the 31st minute, from the left, Liston Colaco received a through ball from Subhasish and sent in a cross, from which Udanta attempted a header, but it was punched out by the keeper. The rebound fell to Farukh, but his shot was saved as well.
In the 41st minute, India got a corner from which Liston Colaco unleashed a direct shot on goal, but by inches, Marma grabbed the ball and punched it out. Hossain received the clearance and launched a quick counter-attack, from the right Johny entered the box after receiving the ball from Hossain, but Vishal came out and made a great clearance to neutralize the threat.
In the second half, in the 58th minute, from a corner, Sunil Chhetri took a header, however, Hamza Chaudhury made a crucial block. In the final quarter, in the 84th minute, Mahesh delivered an inch-perfect cross for the unmarked Sunil Chhetri inside the box, but he attempted a wide header. It could have been a better finish to capitalize on the golden chance to break the deadlock.
In the last minute of added time, at the 90+5th minute, Bangladesh launched an counter-attack, when substitute Blue Tiger Brison tried to create something with his footwork, Hamza Chaudhury intercepted and cleared the ball, Uddin then headed the ball into the opposition box, hoping for a final opportunity, but Hossain’s shot went over the post.
With a hard-fought defensive game, both teams ended the match without touching the net. In Group C, after playing one match each, India and Bangladesh stand with one point each, along with Hong Kong and Singapore, who also have the same points. The upcoming matches will be crucial, as only one team can qualify from each group. Therefore, India needs to stay on the winning track, where they have recently made a comeback.
NEXT FIXTURES: Indian will play the next qualifier match against Hong Kong, on June 10. Bangladesh will play against Singapore on the same date.
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