Bangladesh played out an entertaining 4–4 draw against India to kick off their inaugural SAFF Futsal Championship campaign at the Nonthaburi Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday.
Md Moin Ahmed and captain Rahbar Wahed Khan netted a brace each for Bangladesh.
Moin Ahmed put Bangladesh ahead in the ninth minute before Anmol Adhikari equalised three minutes later. Rahbar Khan gave Bangladesh the lead again in the 16th minute.
India restored parity four minutes later through Lalsawmpuia and went ahead with a goal from K Roluahpuia in the 27th minute. Moin scored again four minutes later to level the margin.
Roluahpuia’s second goal in the 36th minute was cancelled out by Rahbar within a minute.
“Very happy for the boys. Everybody performed very well,” said Rahbar after the match.
“India is a very strong side. I’m very happy with our game. I believe we had a good start. We played to win, but a draw at the beginning is a good start to the tournament,” he added.
Along with Rahbar and Moin, goalkeeper Jahid Hasan Rabbi, Foysal Hossain, and Kazi Ibrahim Ahamed started for the men in red and green in their first match of the debut tournament.
Bangladesh will face Maldives next on Friday before meeting Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Nepal on January 18, 20, 22, and 24 respectively.
The Bangladesh national women’s futsal team, led by Sabina Khatun, will begin their SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship 2026 campaign against India on Thursday.