Sombre sign off for goal-shy Bangladesh

Bangladesh concluded their 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign on a sombre note today, falling 1-0 to hosts Singapore at the National Stadium in Kallang.

Harhys Stewart delivered the decisive moment on the half-hour mark, guiding Singapore to a result that underlined their authority in Group C. The home side finished with 14 points and had already secured qualification before kick-off, but the win ensured they closed the campaign in control, repeating their 2-1 victory over Bangladesh in Dhaka last July.

Despite the defeat, Bangladesh ended third in the four-team group with five points, finishing ahead of neighbouring India but behind second-placed Hong Kong.

The campaign had begun with a sense of renewed ambition. The inclusion of Hamza Choudhury, alongside a growing pool of overseas-based players such as Shamit Shome, Fahamedul Islam and Zayyan Ahmed, had raised hopes of a push for qualification. While that objective ultimately slipped away, the campaign was not without its defining moment.

That came in the form of a long-awaited victory over India after 22 years -- also their first win in Asian Cup qualifying in 27 years. The last time Bangladesh had tasted victory at this stage was in 1999, when they defeated Sri Lanka 3-1 in the 2000 Asian Cup Qualifiers. Since then, campaigns had been marked by near-misses, narrow defeats and prolonged stagnation.

Head coach Javier Cabrera, whose contract expires in the latter half of April, had spoken of his desire to end the campaign on a high against opponents Bangladesh have never beaten, but a familiar lack of cutting edge proved decisive. The visitors struggled to establish control in midfield in the opening half, their play marked by loose passing and a lack of composure in key moments.

The only goal arrived in the 30th minute, born of pressure and a lapse in concentration. Goalkeeper Mitul Marma did well to parry a powerful effort from Glenn Kweh, but the rebound fell invitingly for Stewart, who made no mistake with a composed, low finish.

Bangladesh had shown early promise, with Shome heading wide from a Saad Uddin delivery in the 15th minute, while Sheikh Morsalin came close before the break, his effort blocked inside the area. Yet clear openings remained scarce.

After the restart, there was greater structure and intent. Bangladesh enjoyed improved possession and pushed higher up the pitch, particularly after the introduction of Mirajul Islam. The closing stages offered glimpses of what might have been -- Hamza narrowly missing the far post in the 75th minute, before Mirajul saw his flick from a Hamza curler strike the woodwork four minutes later.

But despite a late surge and sustained pressure in the Singapore half, with Cabrera making three more changes, the equaliser never came. Singapore held firm, managing the final moments with assurance to preserve their slender lead and bring Bangladesh’s campaign to a subdued end.