Shekh Morsalin scored the winner as Bangladesh finally ended their 22-year drought of beating India with a 1-0 win in their AFC Asian Cup qualifiers return-leg match at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The last time Bangladesh won against them was in the 2003 SAFF Championship semi-final in Dhaka, when Matiur Munna鈥檚 golden goal earned a 2-1 win.
Since then they have lost four and drawn six games against India before the day鈥檚 win. Although both Bangladesh and India are no longer in contention for a place in the main event, it was important for Javier Cabrera鈥檚 team to secure a victory against their long-standing rivals.听
Despite India dominating the possession from the very start of the game, the hosts took the lead through Morsalin from a counter attack in the 11th minute as the forward prodded the ball home between the legs of Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu following a cross from the left by Rakib Hossain.
Three minutes later, the same combination almost increased the lead, but Morsalin鈥檚 close-range effort from a cross by Rakib on the right was blocked by Sandhu.
Bangladesh suffered a setback when defender Tariq Kazi suffered an injury in the 27th minute and had to leave the field. He was replaced by Shakil Ahad Topu.
India threatened in the 32nd minute when Lallianzuala Chhangte pounced on a loose ball, but Hamza Choudhury headed the ball away with goalkeeper Mitul Marma outside the box after an earlier clearance.
Hamza, who scored two breathtaking goals against Nepal last week, came close to doubling the lead just before half-time, sending a powerful left-footed volley narrowly over the bar in the 43rd minute.
Indian substitute midfielder Mohammed Sanan tasted Bangladesh keeper Mitul a couple of times in the second half after he took the field in the 63rd minute, replacing Macarton Louis Nickson.
Cabrera re-energised his side in the 70th minute by bringing in Sahariar Emon in place of goalscorer Morsalin and Taj Uddin replacing Zayyan Ahmed.
Shakil鈥檚 79th-minute solo attempt was denied by Indian keeper Sandhu, and Bangladesh were able to keep their post intact till the end despite a history of conceding late goals against India. 听
The first-leg match between the two countries ended in a goalless draw in Shillong on March 25 when Leicester City midfielder Hamza made his national debut for Bangladesh.
Later, Bangladesh conceded home defeats to Singapore 2-1 and Hong Kong 4-3 before playing a 1-1 away draw against Hong Kong.
Bangladesh will play their final group match against Singapore on March 31, 2026.听
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