Shillong witnessed a historic yet frustrating night as India kicked off their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round campaign with a goalless draw against Bangladesh at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday, March 25. Despite a charged atmosphere and unwavering support from the 15,000-strong crowd, the Blue Tigers failed to convert their dominance into goals.
Bangladesh started aggressively, exposing gaps in the Indian defense and creating a few close chances in the first half. However, India regained control in the second half, pressing forward with multiple attacks. The stadium echoed with chants of “We want goal” as fans pushed the team for a breakthrough, but their efforts remained unfulfilled.
The match saw moments of high tension, particularly in the 89th minute when Indian goalkeeper Vishal Kaith made a crucial save, preventing what could have been a decisive goal for Bangladesh. The game also witnessed bookings, with Bangladesh’s Mojibor Jony and Ridoy receiving yellow cards.
With Group A rivals Singapore and Hong Kong also playing out a 0-0 draw earlier in the day, the race for qualification remains wide open. India will now shift focus to their next two critical encounters against Singapore and Hong Kong, where a win will be imperative to keep their qualification hopes alive.