India starts campaign against a reinforced Bangladesh

Indian football team faces Bangladesh in crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifier, with Chhetri's return boosting attack against tough competition.

The Indian senior men’s football team starts its qualification campaign for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup by taking on Bangladesh in the first outing of the final round Group-C qualifiers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Tuesday.

India finds its robust record against Bangladesh (14 wins, 10 draws and four losses) challenged as the visitor announced the arrival of Leicester City midfielder and former England U-21 player Hamza Choudhury, who recently obtained a Bangladesh passport.

Captain Jamal Bhuyan will hope to lead Bangladesh to its first win against India since 2003.

This is juxtaposed against the return of the talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri, who ended his international retirement and joined the Indian side to bolster its attack.

This has definitely heightened the intensity of the contest as the Blue Tigers try to secure their place in the main stage of the Asian Cup proper, for the third time in succession.

Having previously qualified for the Asian Cup main stage in 2019 and 2023, India’s current prospect largely depends on how Chhetri inspires his side to secure the required points and top the group, which also has Hong Kong and Singapore.

India’s preparations have been dampened by injuries to some key players but head coach Manolo Marquez seemed to have managed some good replacements.