In football, the opening game of the third and final round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers between India and Bangladesh ended in a goalless draw at Shillong in Meghalaya this evening. Both teams will get a point each.

Earlier, India squandered multiple chances as talisman Sunil Chhetri missed a few chances before being substituted. Bangladesh was also not able to capitalise on a few messes by India goalkeeper Vishal Kaith. Hamza Choudhury, who has made over 100 appearances for Premier League side Leicester City, made his international debut for Bangladesh. In the first half, India survived a huge scare, with defender Subhasish Bose needing to make a goal-line clearance after an error by Kaith.

The crucial Group C encounter was the first of six games that India is playing in their final quest for a berth in the continental showpiece.

India is placed in Group C of the final round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, alongside Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangladesh. The teams will compete in a home-and-away round-robin format until March next year, with the group winners advancing to the AFC Asian Cup tournament in Saudi Arabia. While India is aiming to qualify for the Asian Cup for the third successive time, Bangladesh has only qualified once before – in 1980.