Shillong (Meghalaya), March 25: The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here was abuzz with excitement as India and Bangladesh clashed in their 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier match, ultimately ending in a thrilling goalless draw.
The match, attended by a packed crowd of over 14,900 fans, was a testament to the growing popularity of football in the region. Despite being ranked lower than India, Bangladesh will consider this draw a moral victory, given their past record against the Blue Tigers in India.
India head coach Manolo Márquez made five changes to the team that defeated Maldives in a friendly match last week. However, the team’s performance was not up to par, with Márquez expressing his disappointment and anger in the post-match interview.
The draw means that both teams are now tied with one point each in Group C, along with Singapore and Hong Kong. The next matches in the qualifying campaign will be crucial in determining which teams advance to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
