The Indian men’s football team faced Bangladesh in their first Group C match of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. The match, played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, ended in a goalless draw. Both teams created a number of chances, but neither could find the back of the net. India’s star footballer Sunil Chhetri put in a disappointing performance in the match, while Premier League star Hamza Chowdhury, who made his international debut for Bangladesh, also failed to help his team to victory.
India, ranked 126th in FIFA standings, fielded a squad led by the returning Sunil Chhetri, who came out of retirement for this crucial qualifier. Bangladesh, ranked 185th, featured Premier League star Hamza Choudhury, making his debut for his mother’s homeland. Despite the talent on display, neither side could break the deadlock, with India maintaining their unbeaten home record against Bangladesh. The Blue Tigers, under coach Manolo Marquez, showed glimpses of promise through wing play but lacked the final touch.
The match, part of Group C alongside Hong Kong China and Singapore, sets the tone for a challenging round-robin journey. The group winners will secure a spot in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. Fans can catch the next qualifiers on JioHotstar and Star Sports 3, as India aims to sharpen their attack and secure crucial points.
India created several chances in the early stages of the match, but were unable to convert them due to a lack of finishing. Sunil Chhetri, who recently returned to the team after reversing his decision to retire from international football, failed to make an impact on the game. He had one chance in the first half but was denied by the Bangladesh goalkeeper. He also missed a couple of chances in the second half before being substituted. It was a huge disappointment for the Indian fans as Chhetri had scored the goal that led the team to a 3-0 win over the Maldives in a friendly last week.
On the other hand, it was a historic moment for the Bangladesh team. Hamza Chowdhury, who has made over 100 appearances for English Premier League side Leicester City, made his international debut for Bangladesh in this match. Instead of a warm welcome from the Shillong crowd, Hamza was jeered at every step he took onto the pitch. Bangladesh captain Jamal Bhuiyan had described Hamza as their “Messi” before the match, saying, “Sunil Chhetri is a great player, but Hamza is a Premier League star. However, Hamza failed to live up to the hype on the pitch. Although he tried to bring some control to the midfield, he was unable to contribute much to the scoring chances.
India faced a big challenge in the first half. India goalkeeper Vishal Keith made a mistake which allowed a Bangladesh player to get the ball in front of the goal. However, Indian defender Subhashish Bose saved his team by clearing the ball off the goal line. Apart from this incident, Bangladesh had a few more chances in the second half, but the strength of the Indian defence and a bit of luck prevented them from scoring. The second half saw a slight improvement in India’s play. Liston Colasso and Farokh Chowdhury made some good moves, but their shots went wide at the last minute.
The match was the first of the third round of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup 2027. Group C features India and Bangladesh, as well as Singapore and Hong Kong. The team topping the group after six matches will automatically qualify for the Asian Cup. In that context, the draw is a disappointment for India. After a 3-0 win over the Maldives last week, Indian fans were hoping that the team under new coach Manolo Marquez would continue their winning streak. But the result against Bangladesh dashed their hopes.
The match was also a mixed bag for Bangladesh. They are yet to win on Indian soil and while the draw did not break that record, it did earn them a point. Hamza Chowdhury’s debut and the team’s fighting spirit gave Bangladesh fans some hope. However, the disappointment of not scoring will remain with them.
This was a match of particular interest to football fans in West Bengal. Hamza’s performance for Bangladesh and the presence of India’s Sunil Chhetri added to the excitement. Much like the East Bengal-Mohun Bagan clash on the football fields of Kolkata, the rivalry between the two neighbouring countries was a major draw for the crowd. In the end, however, the match failed to live up to expectations due to a lack of goals.
According to sports analysts, India’s performance highlighted the team’s weaknesses. Over-reliance on Sunil Chhetri and finishing problems are still major challenges for the team. Bangladesh, on the other hand, have shown more potential with the likes of Hamza. However, both teams will need to be more effective in the next game.
India’s next match in the group will be against Singapore, while Bangladesh will face Hong Kong. After the draw, both teams will be desperate for a win. India coach Manolo Marquez said: “We have to play better. All six games are like finals for us. The fans are now waiting to see when the team will live up to their expectations.
