The Indian men’s football team is gearing up for a highly anticipated match against Bangladesh in the opening Group C encounter of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, set to take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. The match is expected to draw considerable attention as both teams vie for early dominance in the qualification process, with a kickoff time of 7:00 PM IST.
India recently celebrated a morale-boosting victory over the Maldives, clinching a 3-0 win in an international friendly. This match, which occurred on March 19, 2025, marked India’s first international win in 489 days and their first under head coach Manolo Márquez. The standout of this encounter was captain Sunil Chhetri, who returned from international retirement and scored his 95th goal. Alongside him, Rahul Bheke and Liston Colaco also found the back of the net, with all goals scored from headers.
The upcoming qualifier holds significant implications for India as they are currently ranked 126th in the FIFA men’s team rankings, compared to Bangladesh at 185th. Historically, India enjoys a substantial advantage over Bangladesh, having won 14 out of 28 encounters, while suffering only four defeats and drawing the remaining 10. Notably, Bangladesh last defeated India over two decades ago in the 2003 SAFF Championship semi-final.
The previous encounter between these two teams took place during the 2021 SAFF Championship, where the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Sunil Chhetri netted the opening goal, but India squandered their advantage when Bangladesh's Yeasin Arafat equalized, even after Bishwanath Ghosh of Bangladesh was sent off.
Bangladesh arrives in Shillong with a significant boost in their squad, having secured the services of Hamza Choudhury, a talented midfielder currently on loan from Sheffield United FC. Choudhury is expected to make his debut for Bangladesh, adding a new dynamic to their play. His experiences from the English Premier League should bolster Bangladesh's chances, with Hamza's playing style as a potential game changer.
However, amidst the growing excitement, Bangladesh has expressed concerns regarding the conditions of their practice ground. Head coach Javier Cabrera labeled the practice surface as “sub-par,” prompting the team to shift their training to a different facility, seeking better conditions. On March 22, they trained on the Shillong Lajong ground, an astroturf surface, instead of their initially designated practice venue.
Despite these obstacles, Bangladesh's camp remains optimistic. Cabrera stated, “We came here knowing that we might face challenges, but we're trying to stay unaffected so that it doesn’t demotivate our players. Our focus remains on the game.”
For India, head coach Márquez has emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and discipline. He highlighted the significance of set-pieces, which played a crucial role in the victory against Maldives. India is hoping to capitalize on their strong aerial ability, especially with Chhetri's vast experience in front of goal.
With the stakes high, both teams are under pressure to deliver strong performances. India aims to secure a solid start in this qualification campaign and avoid any slip-ups that could jeopardize their chances of qualifying for the continent's prestigious tournament. The AFC Asian Cup is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in 2027, and only the top team from Group C will secure a spot in this tournament.
As match day draws closer, both teams are focusing on their strategies. For India, having retained a core group of players familiar with their style of play is vital. Notably, defender Sandesh Jhingan expressed confidence in Chhetri, stating, “With the quality he has, he’s a threat to every team, not just Bangladesh.”
Across the field, Bangladesh’s talent pool, including players like Mohammed Ridoy and Jamal Bhuyan, alongside Choudhury, will be pivotal in their strategy against India. Jimal Bhuyan remarked on the significance of the match, “It feels good to be back in India. We know it’s going to be hard, but we’ll give our best.”
Ultimately, the countdown to the clash continues, and as India and Bangladesh prepare to face off, the fans in Shillong are gearing up for what promises to be an exhilarating encounter. The rivalry fosters not only passion on the field but immense curiosity from followers of both teams.
