Toothless India lose to Bangla tigers in a game where pride was at stake
Morsalin scored in the 11th minute as Bangladesh defeated India 1-0 in an inconsequential AFC Asian Cup third round match.
Morsalin scored in the 11th minute as Bangladesh defeated India 1-0 in an inconsequential AFC Asian Cup third round match.
Morsalin scored in the 11th minute as Bangladesh defeated India 1-0 in an inconsequential AFC Asian Cup third round match.
India's hopeless football season hit a new low following 0-1 defeat to Bangladesh in an AFC Asian Cup third round qualifier in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Not that losing to Bangladesh is the worst that could happen to India. Before tonight, Bangladesh had an equally poor campaign in the AFC event; winless in four rounds, just like India.
But Shekh Morsalin's 11th-minute winner made sure Bangladesh towered over their mighty neighbours at least for one memorable night.
India had returned to Dhaka after 22 years, but just like in their 2003 SAFF Gold Cup meeting, it was Bangladesh that had the last laugh. At least the batch of 2003 had regular domestic competition unlike the current crop of players, who are left without practice because the Indian Super League remains cancelled.
Though both nations have been knocked out of the qualifiers, Khalid Jamil's India remain bottom of Group C, three points behind Bangladesh.
Hamza Choudhury, a former Premier League player who chose to represent Bangladesh earlier this year, was massive for the hosts tonight, just like he was in March when the two teams played out a goalless draw in the first round of the qualifiers in Shillong.
India had hoped Ryan Williams would be their answer to Choudhury. But the Australian, who accepted Indian citizenship recently, was reportedly not cleared for tonight's match.
Rahim Ali led the line in the absence of Sunil Chhetri, while Macarton Louis Nickson sat behind. India, led by Sandesh Jhingan, hardly created any chances. India are ranked 136th in the world, while Bangladesh are placed a lowly 183rd.