Shamit knows how to hurt India

Shomit Shome is optimistic Bangladesh will end their winless streak in international football when they take on neighbours India in an AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers fixture in Dhaka on November 18.

The Cavalry FC midfielder, who made his Bangladesh debut against Singapore in Dhaka on June 10 this year, has already worn the red and green jersey four times but is yet to taste victory as Bangladesh drew two and lost two of those matches. The last victory for Bangladesh came in a friendly against Bhutan at home on June 4 this year.

Having started his Bangladesh journey with a 2-1 defeat against Singapore, the 28-year-old scored his first goal for the country at home against Hong Kong in October with a late equaliser, only to see his side lose through a last-ditch goal.

The men in red and green then conceded an injury-time equaliser against Nepal in Dhaka last Thursday. Shamit, though, believes the win could come against India at the National Stadium on Tuesday.

Sheikh Morsalin clicks a picture of Hamza Choudhury with his fans. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

"We don't need to create motivation separately -- everyone knows what this match (against India) means. Even when I first started playing for Bangladesh, someone told me on my first day to be ready for the India match. At that time, Singapore were our opponents. So this game has been in our minds from long ago. We're motivated -- we want to win this match, and we will," Shamit told the media ahead of the team's training session on Saturday.

Shamit feels he knows how to hurt India to forge a victory against the neighbours, something that has eluded Bangladesh for the last 22 years.

"India are a good team, but they have gaps too," Shamit analysed. "There are spaces between their midfield line and their defensive line. Even the way Nepal defended -- I don't think India will be able to defend as well or maintain that structure. And we can take advantage of that. With the way we're passing now, we're finding the half spaces. That's how we can create an impact against them."

India's new inclusion Ryan Williams along with his teammates after reaching Dhaka. Photo: BFF

Meanwhile, the India team reached Dhaka last night, bringing on board Australia-born Ryan Williams, who is yet to receive clearance to play for India from FIFA and Football Australia, after having represented the Socceroos at age-level as well at senior level.

Although the 23-member team does not feature regulars like Subhasish Bose, Lalengmawia Apuia, Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco and Udanta Singh, there is enough quality in the side, evident from their 6-1 win against Bhutan in a closed-door friendly on Thursday.

The last time these two sides met produced a goalless draw in Shillong in the first match of the qualifying campaign in March this year. Both teams are out of the qualification race with two points each.