Inspired by the inclusion of Premier League midfielder Hamza Choudhury, Bangladesh will be looking to secure their first win over India in 22 years as the two nations collide in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, Meghalaya, today.
The four-team Group C match is scheduled to begin at 7:30pm Bangladesh Standard Time and T Sports will televise the game live.
Currently ranked 126th in FIFA standings, India enter into the match as clear favourites against Bangladesh, which sits at 185th, but after Hamza鈥檚 inclusion, Bangladesh are brimming with rare hope.
The 27-year-old midfielder Hamza, who represented England at the under-21 level and is currently on loan to Championship side Sheffield United from Premier League outfit Leicester City, joined the Bangladesh camp on March 18 and participated in a practice session the following day before heading to India.
This will be the 32nd meeting between the two neighbouring countries, having first met in the Asian Games in 1978. Bangladesh have won only two games against India, losing 16 and drawing 13.
The last time Bangladesh beat India was in the 2003 SAFF Championship semi-final, where they secured a 2-1 victory in extra-time on home soil.
Bangladesh鈥檚 Spanish coach, Javier Cabrera, was optimistic about the triumph; he also emphasised the importance of both Hamza and India鈥檚 veteran forward Sunil Chhetri, who came out from retirement after a nine-month absence.
鈥業 think it鈥檚 even more exciting having Hamza and Sunil back. It鈥檚 going to be a really competitive match,鈥� said Cabrera at the pre-match press conference on Monday.
鈥楤ut it鈥檚 not going to be only about them. If we get to win tomorrow, it鈥檚 not going to be only for Hamza. Hamza definitely makes us better. There鈥檚 no doubt. And I think Sunil also makes India better. But whoever wins tomorrow, it鈥檚 going to be about the team.鈥�
Cabrera also acknowledged Bangladesh鈥檚 challenging historical record against India but conveyed confidence with the current squad.
鈥楾his is the strongest team we鈥檝e ever had, both in terms of performance and mentality. We feel absolutely ready,鈥� said the Spaniard.
鈥榃e are confident and we expect a very tight game, and hopefully we will make things very difficult for India.鈥�
Team captain Jamal Bhuyan reiterated Cabrera鈥檚 thoughts, stating that the local players have greatly improved.
鈥楬amza鈥檚 inclusion is a positive factor, but our local players have also optimised their game. The mentality has changed, and our style of play is different from when the coach first arrived,鈥� said Jamal.
Indian team Spanish coach Manolo Marquez also praised Hamza,鈥檕bviously, he鈥檚 a very good player鈥 think he鈥檚 good for Asian football, not only for Bangladesh鈥� Obviously he鈥檚 a great addition for Bangladesh. I feel that his team-mates will be very motivated to have him.鈥�
He also downplayed the significance of FIFA rankings, asserting that the match will ultimately come down to performance on the match day.
鈥榃e will play with 11 players, and if we perform well, we will win. It鈥檚 simple,鈥� he stated.
Earlier, Cabrera鈥檚 charges had 20 days of training, including two weeks in Saudi Arabia and four more days in India.
On the other hand, India had their 10-day long training in Shillong, including a 3-0 win over the Maldives in an international friendly on March 19, when Chhetri scored his 95th international goal.
