FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifier: Adil Khan’s Late Strike Helps India to a Draw :- India settled for a 1-1 draw against the much lower-ranked Bangladesh to dent their chances of qualification in a Group E Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup tie at the packed Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Tuesday.
FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifier
A first-half strike from Saad Uddin in the 42nd minute led Bangladesh to take a lead against India, who are 83 places above them. India had lost to Oman 1-2 in their opening match before holding Asian champions Qatar to a goalless draw in their previous match.
The hosts had a flurry of chances to peg back with Anas Edathodika’s shot headed out by Mohammad Ibrahim on the goal line in the second half. Adil Khan, however, ensured that India at least secures a point from the home match as he rose highest to nod home a Brandon Fernandes corner kick in the 88th minute.
India dominated possession in the early minutes and tried to create chances through long ball. Sunil Chhetri was clearly the target man for India once again but the Indian talisman failed to get the power on his shots.
Udanta Singh with his quick feet created quite a few half chances but none of the forwards could make the most of it from inside the box.
Adil Khan’s Late Strike Help’s India to a Draw
In the second half, India bettered their tempo, striving hard to look for goals but failed to get their finishing right. Bangladesh defence was well in place to see off the danger and begin a counter-attack. Mohammad Ibrahim had come close to scoring but his shot hit the crossbar on the 54-minute mark. Even Anas Edathodika’s header was cleared off the line on the hour mark.
Adil Khan was also brilliant with his defensive duties as he made a goal-line clearance in the 88th minute. The final minutes saw India throwing their kitchen sink in the match but failing to find a winner.
The result means India move to two points from three games after losing their campaign opener to Oman. While Bangladesh, who prior to this game had lost both their matches against Afghanistan and Qatar, logged their first point but remained at the bottom of the five-team group.
FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifier Match Highlights
Team India missed their defensive mainstay Sandesh Jhingan and holding midfielder Rowliin Borges due to injury and suspension respectively.
The packed 65,000 spectators in the stadium were left high and dry in the end as India could not record an expected win. Meanwhile, after the result, Bangladesh ranked who is ranked at 187 remains unbeaten in their last three meetings against India who are ranked 104. The last two matches between the two teams, in 2013 and 2014, ended in 1-1 and 2-2 draws respectively.
