DHAKA: India’s dismal AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification campaign plunged to a new low on Tuesday as they suffered a humiliating 0-1 defeat to Bangladesh, a result that cements their position at the bottom of the group and marks their first loss to their neighbors in 22 years.
A solitary first-half strike from 19-year-old Shekh Morsalin was enough to secure a historic and jubilant victory for the hosts at the Dhaka National Stadium.The decisive moment arrived in the 11th minute, born from a swift and incisive Bangladeshi counter-attack that exposed a fragile Indian defense.
After clearing an Indian long throw, Rakib Hossain burst down the right flank, outpacing Akash Mishra and holding off another defender before threading a precise low pass into the box.
With goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu caught in two minds, an unmarked Morsalin coolly ghosted in to lift a nonchalant finish over the keeper’s legs, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.Stunned by the early goal, India struggled to find their rhythm but eventually began to mount attacks.
Their most significant opportunity of the first half came just after the half-hour mark when striker Rahim Ali dispossessed Bangladesh’s goalkeeper Mitul Marma and set up Lallianzuala Chhangte for a shot at an open goal.
