Javier Cabrera expressed quiet optimism regarding Bangladesh's fixtures in the third round of Asian Cup Qualifiers, which pitted his charges against India, Hong Kong and Singapore in Group C.

The Spaniard said he was excited to get India as an opponent while exclaiming that the makeup of the group has left each team with a chance to qualify for the final round.

The draw was held in Malaysia yesterday, splitting 24 teams into six groups, with only the group winners slated to join the 18 teams already qualified for the Asian Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2027.

Each team will get to play six games against three opponents -- home and away – starting on March 25, 2025 and concluding on March 31, 2026.

"I think it's a very exciting group, challenging also. Everyone in this group can lose points with everyone. The level between India and Hong Kong is very similar, even Singapore. I think we have enough level to compete with all of them," the 40-year-old coach told reporters at the BFF House following the draw.

Despite Bangladesh being the lowest-ranked team (185) in the group, Cabrera feels that his team can snatch points in home matches from India (127), Hong Kong (156) and Singapore (161), taking inspiration from some fighting displays against higher-ranked sides in the World Cup Qualifiers earlier this year.

"We know we are very strong at home. We have to be very very reliable in our home games. We did a great job in the home games in the World Cup Qualifiers Round 2 with opponents much stronger than the ones we are going to face. So definitely the first target would be to get many points from the home games," Cabrera said.

The Bangladesh coach was especially excited about the prospect of facing India, against whom the Red and Greens have put on some spirited displays over the last decade despite the widening gap in ranking.

"It's always a very special game for everyone in the country, especially for the players," Cabrera said of the two matches scheduled against the Blue Tigers -- away to India on March 25 next year and at home on November 18 next year.

"It's a great opportunity for us to see where we are against India. The team has performed at a great level against India in the last years, even in the Asian Games last year we played against them," Cabrera added.

Meanwhile, the Spaniard, whose contract with BFF runs out at the end of this year, was looking positively ahead towards an extension.

"It's not still decided. We are in conversation. I'm very positive. Everyone knows I'm very happy to be the coach of this team. We have gone a long way already, developing this team and evolving. And I believe the next year can be a great opportunity for this cycle of three years to confirm the work that we have done," the coach said.

Bangladesh's Asian Cup Qualifying fixtures

India vs Bangladesh 25 Mar, 2025

Bangladesh vs Singapore 10 Jun, 2025

Bangladesh vs Hong Kong 9 Oct, 2025

Hong Kong vs Bangladesh 14 Oct, 2025

Bangladesh vs India 18 Nov, 2025

Singapore vs Bangladesh 31 Mar, 2026