Bangladesh鈥檚 hopes of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 were hanging by a thread following their 1-1 draw against 10-man Hong Kong in their fourth Group C match of the qualifiers at the Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday.
With the draw, Bangladesh remain bottom of Group C with two points from four matches, while Hong Kong lead the group with eight from as many games.
To qualify, Javier Cabrera's men now must win their remaining two fixtures against India and Singapore and rely on favourable outcomes.
For Bangladesh to have any realistic chance of advancing, India would need to win both of their matches against Singapore and Hong Kong, while Hong Kong must lose to Singapore 鈥� leaving all teams tied on eight points after six games.
Qualification would then be decided on goal difference, meaning Bangladesh must produce not just wins, but emphatic ones. Bangladesh next face India at home on November 18 before taking on Singapore away on March 31.
Hong Kong entered the match confident, having beaten Bangladesh 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller in Dhaka on October 9.
Despite dominating possession in the second half and playing with a numerical advantage for the final quarter, Bangladesh failed to find the winner that could have strengthened their qualification chances.听
The hosts went ahead in the 36th minute when Bangladesh defender Tariq Kazi brought down an opponent inside the penalty area.听
Hong Kong captain Matthew Orr made no mistake from the spot, sending Bangladesh keeper Mitul Marma the wrong way to put his side 1-0 up.
The goal allowed the hosts to dictate play for much of the opening half, while Bangladesh struggled to create clear chances despite showing intent through Rakib Hossain and Shekh Morsalin.
After the break, Bangladesh came out with renewed urgency, and their persistence gained momentum in the 76th minute when Hong Kong defender Oliver Gerbig received a second yellow card and was sent off.
听The red card provided Cabrera鈥檚 side with the impetus they required, enabling them to take advantage just eight minutes later.
In the 84th minute, substitute Fahamedul Islam nodded down a cross from the left for Rakib, who calmly slotted the ball home with his right foot to restore the parity.
Bangladesh pushed hard in the dying minutes, even introducing an extra forward in stoppage time, but Hong Kong stood firm to preserve a point.
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