Morsalin goal seals 1-0 win as Bangladesh beat India after 22 years
Sheikh Morsalin ended Bangladesh's long wait for a victory against India with an 11th-minute strike, as the hosts secured their first win of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign with a 1-0 triumph at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The Bangladesh No. 7 scored his seventh international goal, expertly threading the ball between the legs of a hesitant Gurpreet Singh Sandhu following a superb square pass from Rakib Hossain on a quick counter-attack. The goal evoked memories of 22 years ago, when Bangladesh had last defeated India at the same ground, courtesy of a golden goal from Matiur Rahman Munna in a SAFF Championship semifinal.
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Despite the early lead, there was plenty of time left on the clock, and with Bangladesh's history of conceding late goals against India, the home side had little room to relax. Under the watchful eye of Hamza Choudhury, who was influential across the pitch, Bangladesh defended their slim advantage with determination.
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.
India pressed hard in the second half, but their lack of clinical finishing kept the Blue Tigers at bay.
Bangladesh also had to cope with injuries to defenders Tariq Kazi and Zayyan Ahmed, but the team's collective effort – including defensive contributions from wide forwards Rakib and Faysal Ahmed Fahim – helped secure a momentous victory.
Morsalin's cool finish gives Bangladesh 1-0 lead over India at halftime
Bangladesh went into the break with a deserved 1-0 lead over India in their AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers clash at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Tuesday, thanks to an early moment of brilliance on the counter.
The breakthrough came in the 11th minute when Rakib Hossain burst forward from 40 yards out, shrugging off multiple Indian defenders to latch onto a through ball. The winger's low, sliding pass into the box found Sheikh Morsalin, who coolly slipped the ball between the legs of a hesitant Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, sending the capacity home crowd into raptures.
India nearly equalised on the half-hour mark after a mix-up in the Bangladesh defence. Substitute Shakil Ahad Topu's misdirected back pass prompted goalkeeper Mitul Marma to rush out, but he was beaten to the ball, leaving the goal exposed. Lallianzuala Chhangte's goalbound effort, however, was spectacularly hooked away by Hamza Choudhury, in what may prove a crucial intervention.
Hamza almost doubled Bangladesh's lead just before half-time, unleashing a sweet left-footed volley in the 43rd minute that flashed narrowly over the bar.
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