Bangladesh finally broke their deadlock in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, earning their first win of the campaign with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over India in front of a packed crowd of 23,712 at the National Stadium — their last home match of the qualifiers.
Shekh Morsalin’s first-half strike, brilliantly created by Rakib Hossain, proved enough to end the 22-year wait to beat the neighbours as Bangladesh delivered one of their most disciplined defensive performances in recent memory.
Hamza Choudhury was once again the heartbeat of the side. Today, however, he focused even more on defensive duties, playing deep and even clearing an open-net chance to preserve Bangladesh’s lead.
Shamit Shome started the match while Jamal Bhuiyan was on the bench, and Sohel Rana wore the armband.
The tension was visible early on, with both sides cautious, misplacing passes, and struggling to gain control — until the home crowd lifted Bangladesh into rhythm.
India threatened first from a free-kick, but Bangladesh settled soon after when a long throw in the 3rd minute led to a weak effort from Morsalin.
The fully packed home crowd roared the team forward, unsettling India, and the breakthrough arrived shortly after.
The goal came in the 12th minute, sparked by a turnover in Bangladesh’s own half. Rakib burst down the left flank with blistering pace, catching India off-guard, and delivered an outside-of-the-boot pass toward the penalty spot.
Morsalin arrived unmarked and slipped the ball through Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s legs to put Bangladesh ahead.
Just a minute later, Rakib again danced past defenders on the right, but his cross went too close to the keeper.
Bangladesh continued to threaten from wide areas, though India came closest in the 31st minute when goalkeeper Mitul Marma misjudged a clearance, leaving an open net. Hamza rescued the situation with a composed header — a decisive moment in the match.
Tempers flared in the 34th minute after a duel between Topu Barman and Vikram Partap, but the referee quickly calmed things down.
Bangladesh nearly doubled their lead just before halftime when Hamza controlled a clearance and struck a dipping left-footed volley that went narrowly wide.
India began the second half with more intensity, but Bangladesh stayed compact, with Hamza anchoring deep and Mitul dealing cleanly with every effort on target.
In the 50th minute, Rakib was booked while conceding a free-kick near Bangladesh’s right edge of the box. The resulting delivery produced a dangerous low header that flashed past the right post — though Mitul had it covered.
A couple of minutes later, substitute Naorem Mahesh Singh attempted a sharp half-volley from the edge of the box, which went just wide of Mitul’s right post again.
Bangladesh had a strong penalty appeal in the 82nd minute when Fahim’s close-range header struck the Indian captain’s hand, but the referee waved play on.
In stoppage time, Rakib broke free on the counter but saw his shot blocked.
The win lifts Bangladesh to third place with 5 points, adding to earlier away draws against India and Hong Kong.
Elsewhere, Singapore’s 2–1 win over Hong Kong sent them top of the group with 11 points, followed by Hong Kong on 8.
Bangladesh will finish their campaign away to Singapore in March next year, carrying renewed confidence — and their first victory of this qualifying cycle.