Shillong: The India senior men’s football team is set to kick off their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers final round campaign against Bangladesh on Tuesday at the JN Stadium in Shillong.
The much-anticipated match will begin at 7 PM and will be broadcast live on JioCinema and telecast on Star Sports 3.
This marks a historic occasion as Shillong hosts its first-ever competitive international men’s football match, with a large crowd expected to cheer for the home team.
India, placed in Group A alongside Bangladesh, Singapore, and Hong Kong, faces a tough road ahead as only the group winners will advance to the final tournament in Saudi Arabia. With limited chances, Indian head coach Manolo Márquez emphasized the importance of starting strong, referring to the qualifiers as “six finals.”
At a pre-match press conference on Monday, Márquez highlighted the high stakes, stating, “The first game is always important. It’s a short competition, only the top team qualifies for the tournament. We want to get the maximum points possible to qualify for Saudi Arabia.”
In preparation for the qualifiers, India recently played a friendly against the Maldives, securing a convincing 3-0 victory. The match saw goals from Rahul Bheke, Liston Colaco, and team captain Sunil Chhetri, who made a triumphant return to the national squad by scoring his 95th international goal. Márquez praised Chhetri’s influence, calling him “a legend in Indian football” and noting that his presence strengthens the team’s attacking capabilities.
Accompanying Márquez at the press conference, defender Sandesh Jhingan echoed the coach’s sentiments, expressing confidence in the team’s readiness. “Whenever India play Bangladesh, we expect a game full of high intensity and passion,” Jhingan remarked. “With the quality Sunil brings, he’s a threat to any team. We are going in with a positive mindset, knowing that preparation is key to victory.”
Despite India’s superior FIFA ranking (126) compared to Bangladesh’s (185), Márquez warned against underestimating the opposition. He pointed out that Bangladesh’s consistency under coach Javier Cabrera and the recent inclusion of former Premier League midfielder Hamza Choudhury could pose significant challenges. “They’ve had the same coach for three years, which brings continuity. Hamza is a quality player, and his presence adds strength to their side. We always expect the best version of our opponents,” Márquez stated.
Bangladesh’s head coach, Javier Cabrera, expressed optimism about his team’s readiness. “We’ve been training hard for 24 days, and the team is more confident and stronger than ever,” Cabrera said. “It’s going to be an exciting and competitive match, and we are prepared to make things difficult for India.”
Adding to the excitement, Bangladesh captain Jamal Bhuyan, who previously played for Mohammedan Sporting in India, shared his enthusiasm for returning to familiar territory. “It feels good to be back in India. I have fond memories here, and while we know it’s going to be a tough game, we are ready to give our best,” he commented.
As the countdown to the opening whistle begins, the match promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams eager to secure a crucial victory in their quest for a place in the AFC Asian Cup 2027.
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