The Indian senior men’s football team arrived in Dhaka on Saturday evening, just three days ahead of their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round match against Bangladesh. Both teams have already been eliminated from qualification, but Blue Tigers goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu emphasized that the rivalry remains strong. “It won’t change the competitiveness or the fierceness of the game. It’s always a big game for them and for the people of Bangladesh because it’s against India,” Sandhu stated. He noted that mental and physical preparedness is crucial, as the match is expected to be challenging and possibly scrappy.
Defender Sandesh Jhingan, who captained India in their last encounter with Bangladesh in March, expressed straightforward expectations: “Play to our full potential, and stick to the system for as long as we can during the game. If we can do that, the rest will follow.” Winger Lallianzuala Chhangte stands out as the only player in the current squad who previously played in Bangladesh, where he scored in the 2018 SAFF Championship.
Both Jhingan and Sandhu have experience competing in Bangladesh with Indian age-group teams and Bengaluru FC. Jhingan reminisced, “I’ve played here before with the Under-23s during the AFC U23 Championship qualifiers in 2015. The people of Bangladesh love watching football and support their team passionately.” He further highlighted their shared history at the National Stadium in Dhaka, where they are set to compete again.
In their previous stints, Jhingan and Sandhu faced challenges; they suffered a loss to Abahani Limited Dhaka in the 2017 AFC Cup. However, Sandhu noted significant improvements in Bangladesh’s football infrastructure and team performance since those early encounters, attributing it to the growing local love for the sport.
Upon arrival, the Indian team was welcomed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with comprehensive security measures coordinated by the Bangladesh Football Federation and local law enforcement. The team traveled under police escort to their hotel, maintaining a strict security bubble. “I want to thank the Bangladesh federation for their warm hospitality. They’ve been kind and helpful. We are focused on giving our best on the pitch,” Jhingan remarked, expressing his confidence in local authorities.
Sandhu echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging awareness of the domestic situation while prioritizing their mission on the field. “Since arriving, we haven’t felt unsafe. Everything has been well organized,” he confirmed.
As part of their preparation, the team held an activation session on Sunday morning, followed by another training session later in the day. An official training session is scheduled for Monday at the National Stadium, with the match set to kick off at 19:30 IST on Tuesday. The game will be streamed live on FanCode. As the Indian team settles into Dhaka, they remain focused on their goal, fostering an atmosphere of determination rather than distraction.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/11/17/india-brace-for-fierce-and-competitive-game-in-bdesh/
Category: SPORTS
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Publish Date: 2025-11-17 05:40:00
