Football
AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: India play out draw against Bangladesh – Highlights
Highlights from India's AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers match against Bangladesh.
Sunil Chhetri (File photo: Indian Football Team/X)
AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Highlights: India started their 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers final round matches with a goalless draw against Bangladesh at their home turf in Shillong on Tuesday.
Both teams had their chances but neither were clinical enough in front of the goal. Even Sunil Chhetri had a chance go begging late in the match before he was pulled off.
Vishal Kaith had a rough introduction to the rigours of international football, though thankfully none of it proved costly.
Coach Manolo Marquez was raging during the post-match interview with the broadcasters. He has a lot of work to do.
Highlights:
Live Updates
- 25 March 2025 1:34 PM GMT
1' - India almost make a mess
Bangladesh start with the possession and the ball is already inside the penalty box. Vishal Kaith comes in to clear it at the baseline on the left and just ends up kicking the ball to a Bangladesh forward.
The entire box is empty. The net is empty. But thankfully for India, the shot hits the side of the net.
India hang on. But this is not a good sign, is it?
- 25 March 2025 1:28 PM GMT
Time for the national anthems
Visitors Bangladesh first, followed by host India's Jana Gana Mana...
- 25 March 2025 1:23 PM GMT
Sunil Chhetri is a busy man
Sunil Chhetri is a busy man even before the start. He signs the jerseys of the young player escorts inside the tunnel. The kids jumping in joy.
- 25 March 2025 1:20 PM GMT
"Big game today," says Manolo Marquez
"Mood was good from the first day. When you win games it is easier [to maintain a good environment] but everyone knows it was just a friendly game and the big game is today," says Indian coach Manolo Marquez ahead of the match.
- 25 March 2025 1:17 PM GMT
INDIA STARTING LINE UP
Sunil Chhetri starts for India as he did against Maldives. Sandesh Jhingan is the captain.
- 25 March 2025 1:14 PM GMT
The pre-match warmups
India are in the midst of the pre-match warm ups.
The Indian men's football team warming up ahead of their 2027 Asia Cup Qualifiers clash against Bangladesh (Photo credit: AIFF) - 25 March 2025 1:12 PM GMT
What's at stake?
This is the first match for both India and Bangladesh in their final round 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers.
They are drawn in Group C along with Singapore and Hong Kong, who are in the middle of a tense battle currently with the first half closing in. The score currently remains 0-0.
So, there's still a long way to go.
But to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup, India will have to top the group.
- 25 March 2025 1:05 PM GMT
Gooood Eveninggg!
Hello and a warm welcome to The Bridge's LIVE coverage of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers final round clash between India and neighbours Bangladesh.
The Blue Tigers bolstered by the return of their star striker Sunil Chhetri will have the crowd support in Shillong, while Bangladesh will have the English Premier League star Hamza Choudhury donning the green for them.
Stay tuned for all the updates!
