Senior National Team Blue Tigers suffer narrow defeat in Bangladesh. Photo AIFF/BS News Agency.
Bangladesh 1 (Shekh Morsalin 12’)
defeated
India 0
BS News Agency, Dhaka, Bangladesh: India suffered a 0-1 defeat in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Group C match against hosts Bangladesh at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
A first-half goal by Shekh Morsalin (12’) was enough to see the home side take the three points, though the Blue Tigers mounted a barrage of attacks on Bangladesh in the second half. Singapore, who defeated Hong Kong, China 2-1 earlier in the day in Hong Kong, sealed the group's top spot with 11 points and qualified for the Asian Cup. Hong Kong are in second place with eight points. Bangladesh and India are third and fourth with five and two points, respectively.
Lallianzuala Chhangte played his 50th international match on Tuesday, while India head coach Khalid Jamil handed debuts to Mohammed Sanan and Lalremtluanga Fanai, bringing the two on from the bench.
After a seesaw start at the National Stadium, Bangladesh broke with speed on the counter, having cleared an India long throw. Rakib Hossain hared down the left and sent a low centre to an unmarked Morsalin, who slipped it past India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
India were taken by surprise but soon regained composure and began to construct their attacks. Suresh Singh Wangjam scuffed a 17th-minute shot from outside the box after latching onto a clearance, while Nikhil Prabhu had his long-range effort blocked soon after.
India’s best chance came just after the half-hour mark, when striker Rahim Ali did well to close down Bangladesh goalkeeper Mitul Marma and win the ball. The India forward played it back to Macarton Louis Nickson, who laid it off to Lallianzuala Chhangte for a crack at an empty goal. However, Bangladesh midfielder Hamza Choudhury intervened, putting his head in the way of the shot.
The Blue Tigers grew in confidence, and their attacks showed as much. Anwar Ali connected well with a Chhangte corner in the 35th minute, but it was cleared once again. Minutes later, Anwar was involved again when he flicked on a Rahul Bheke long throw for Rahim, who attempted an outrageous back-volley, only to scuff the effort.
Choudhury produced a volley on the stroke of half-time against the run of play, but sent it just wide of the post.
India came out with more intent in the second half, as Jamil introduced Mahesh Singh Naorem in place of Prabhu. The substitution brought immediate impact, with Mahesh using his creativity to trouble the Bangladesh defence.