DHAKA, June 7, 2021 (BSS)- Despite a fighting performance, Bangladesh suffered a 2-0 goal defeat to neighbor India in their return leg of FIFA World Cup 2022 and Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers held today (Monday) at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.
After a goalless first half, Chhetri struck in the 79th minute and stoppage time to give India the crucial three points. With this win, India also boosted their chances of reaching the AFC Asian Cup in 2023.
India launched series of attacks in the beginning of the match and possessed the ball procession almost the proceeding.
If India could use the goal scoring opportunities they got in the first half, Sunil Chherti’s men could go to the break taking handsome lead. In this case, credit must go to the Bangladesh defenders, especially Topu Barman and Rahmat Mia, who foiled Indian attacks bravely.
In the first half, custodian Anisur Rahman Zico has made two great saves while Riyadul Hasan Rafi cleared the ball from the goal line and deprived India from a goal.
The blue Tigers attacked brilliantly from the beginning of the match but in terms of such calculation, Bangladesh could not test the Indian goalkeeper in that way.
After the breather, India came to the field with more organized way and continued their onslaught by launching series of attacks but could not penetrate the ball through of Bangladesh’s packed defense.
However Indian best moment came in the 79th minute when skipper Sunil Chherti finally broke the deadlock scoring his first goal for his team with a brilliant close header utilizing a left wing cross. He sealed the victory scoring the second goal for his team in the 90+2nd minute of the match.
Bangladesh will play their last match of the qualifiers against Oman scheduled to be held on June 15 at the same venue.
Bangladesh remained at bottom-ranked at the group E point table with two points while India, on the other hand, recorded their first win in the qualifiers to moved to the third position in the points table with six points from seven games.
Earlier, in the away match, India, came from behind, to play a 1-1 goal draw with Bangladesh held in Kolkata in 2019.
In the first match of the qualifiers, Bangladesh played out to a 1-1 goal draw with Afghanistan.
Squads:
Bangladesh -Anisur Rahman, Rahmat Mia, Topu Barman, Jamal Bhuyan, Masuk Mia, Biplo Ahmed, Matin Mia, Tariq Raihan, Riyadul Hasan, Manik Hossain and Rakib Hossain.
India – Gurpreet Singh, Subasish Bosh, Chinglensana Singh, Sandesh, Glan Martins, Manvir Singh, Brandon Farnendes , Sunil Chherti, Bipin Singh, Udanta Singh and Suresh Singh.
Referee – Zaid Thamer Mohammed (Iraq).