Indian football team played Manvir Singh (left) as the lone striker up front. He, however, was ineffective, missing target on most occasions. Get highlights and analysis of the India vs Bangladesh match below.
It seems no one told Bangladesh that the Indian football team are the favourites in their FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on October 15. The visitors held India to a 1-1 draw after taking the lead in the first half and keeping it till the dying minutes of the match. Adil Khan, with a header in the 88th minute, saved the blushes for Igor Stimac, who went into the match as heavy favourites. Bangladesh went into half time with a 1-0 lead thanks to a strike from Saad Uddin in the 42nd minute. India were ranging between awful and clueless for most of the first half. Not quite sure what coach Stimac’s game plan was, but pretty sure it couldn’t have been this. The team have lacked ideas in the middle, punting long balls into hopeful areas. Though they played considerably better in the second half, India didn’t manage to open up the resolute Bangla defence, till Adil’s strike. (Get highlights and analysis of the India vs Bangladesh match below.)
Are you watching yet? Well, hopefully you are reading, because…
The lineups are out, and guess what, Igor Stimac has decided to point all his cannons in the same direction. And, Anas Edathodika is back!
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu; Rahul Bheke, Adil Khan, Anas, Mandar Rao Desai; Udanta Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Ashique Kuruniyan; Manvir Singh, Sunil Chhetri
The #BlueTigers are ready for tonight⚔️?
Here’s how they will line-up?#INDBAN ⚔️ #WCQ ? #BackTheBlue ? #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Stmek1sEYu
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 15, 2019
Ashraful Islam Rana; Md Rahmat, Md Yeasin Khan, Riyadul Hasan, Raydan Hasan; Jamal Bhuyan (c), Biplo Ahmad, Sohel Rana, Mohammad Ibrahim; Saad Uddin, Mohammad Nabib Ziban.
So three changes for India from the Qatar game. Chhetri and Ashique are back up front. Anas replaces Jhingan at the back. Rowllin’s suspension and Stimac’s obvious desire to grab this game by the goals means India line up more attack minded than usual.
There has already been qualifying action is Asia earlier today, and if you missed it, it’s not your fault. South Korea and North Korea played out a 0-0 draw in Pyongyang earlier in the day. It was a glorious, action packed goalless stalemate. Lots of sitters missed, some brilliant goalkeeping from both dies, and a brilliant display of attacking football. Pep would’ve been proud. Don’t believe us? Prove us wrong. You can’t.
The match wasn’t broadcast live. International media were not allowed in. Neither were the South Korean media or fans. Gianni Infantino was there though. And according to the FIFA website it was a 0-0 draw. So, fill the blanks with your imagination.
Yo Cops, relax you guys. They're just banners?
We've worked for a whole week to make these banners for @IndianFootball. @KirenRijiju it's not just about us or about today. Happens everywhere in India. THIS NEEDS TO STOP! #FreeIndianFootballFans#MeccaCholoBondhu #INDBAN pic.twitter.com/AKNiXYj82t
— Blue Pilgrims (@BluePilgrims) October 15, 2019
As you can see, there is drama already. But it is outside the stadium. The Blue Pilgrims aren’t being allowed to take their banners, drums and flags in apparently. The cops are cleaning them up. Because, they aren’t Bagan or East Bengal fans. We kid of course. Relax.
We love Kolkata football. We really do. Here is that time when one of our writers turned soothsayer at an East Bengal game. And here you can read about three days with the Big Three. Shameless self promotion is what the economy is currently riding on.
The stadium looks full. There are a fair few Bangladesh fans in the stands too. Flags are waving, Cheers are raining. The atmosphere is electric.
The cops have let the banners in. In case you were worried or interested.
And now for the first of two national anthems written by Rabindranath Tagore that will be sung at the VYBK today.
On the topic of scoring for two different countries, there is only one man who has ever done so at the World Cup. And he is Stimac’s compatriot, the genius Robert Prosinecki. Prosinecki, scored for Yugoslavia in the ‘90 World Cup and then after the dissolution of the state into separate countries he played for Croatia and scored at the ‘98 World Cup, one that India’s coach was part of. Prosinecki was also the captain of the Yugoslavia side that won the 1987 FIFA Youth World Cup. That team played some unbelievably beautiful football in Chile.
1’ And in the opening minutes, Bangladesh could’ve had a penalty!! Bheke was a bit caught out there and brought his man down. Bangladesh have a corner. Nothing from it.
3’ India ping it around a bit, before Thapa looks to release Udanta down the right. Doesn’t work out, but if this was rugby, then India have gained ground.
15 Goals Conceded Under Igor Stimac, reads one stat. Will they concede against underdogs Bangladesh at home tonight?
4’ Chettri shoots on target!! A long ball into the box is half cleared to Ashique who bravely lofts it back into the box from the edge of the area with his head. Chhetri half turns and takes it on the volley, the technique is exquisite, but straight into the hands of a grateful Ashraful Rana. India have a shot on target.
6’ Bangladesh have a Rory Delap in their team. Rayhan Hasan takes a looooooong throw, which arrives in the box only to be duly cleared by Anas. Wow. That was a set piece.
8’ And that could’ve been another penalty. Anas makes a mistake losing possession near the half line, and Bheke is forced to track back to clean the mess. He brings down the marker in the box again, but the referee judges that to be fair shoulder contact. Seen penalties given for less than that.
10’ India have a corner. Sahal releases Ashique who in turn tries to find Mandar. Bangladesh clear. And from the corner….
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