Morsalin’s goal marks Hamza Era's first win over India after 22 years

Bangladesh footballers rejoice the all important goal against India. Photo- Bangladesh Football Federation_11zon

Sheikh Morsalin scripted a night to remember in Dhaka as Bangladesh defeated India 1–0 on Tuesday, ending a 22-year wait for a competitive victory over their regional rivals and securing their first win of the Asian Cup Qualifiers. 

It also marked the team's first victory in what may come to be known as the 'Hamza Era', and may have ensured that they end their campaign as third in the group, above their much larger neighbours. Even if qualification was never a realistic target.  

What turned out to be the winning goal came fairly early, capping what was probably the home team's best passage of play on the night, working some openings in the Indian backline and testing Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in the Indian goal. From well inside his own half, Morsalin started an attack by releasing Rakib Hossain into wide open spaces on the left, then timed his run into the box to meet the return pass from Rakibto perfection, beating the Indian goalie to meet it with a deft finish that ended up nutmegging Gurpreet Singh. 

Cue bedlam in the arena, as over 23,000 football-lovers packed into the National Stadium on this wintry evening sensed something special was in the offing. Only the footballers seemed to have other ideas. 

From that moment, Bangladesh fought to protect the lead with grit and discipline, trading in the zeal, the enterprise that leads to chances and most notably - possession of the ball, against a struggling India side that was desperate to salvage their campaign.

The win revived memories of Bangladesh’s last triumph over India, a 2–1 victory after extra time in the final of the 2003 SAFF Championship. Over 22 years later, Morsalin brought that long-lost feeling back to the stands, delivering a moment generations of fans had been waiting for.

Expectation was in the air tonight, even as Bangladesh entered the match without a win in the 5 games they had played since EPL star announced a return to his roots. The first of those games had been against India in the group's opener, where Bangladesh had appeared untroubled during a 0-0 draw. Today at home, the feeling was that India were there for the taking. Although they delivered, the performance owed a lot to India's lack of quality up front, as Bangladesh kept inviting pressure and conceded chance after chance that went begging.  

With the result, Bangladesh climbed to third place in Group C with 5 points from five matches, while India slipped to the bottom with 2. Captain Jamal Bhuiyan, though unused, celebrated the rare win intently from the bench.

India pushed hard for an equaliser after the break. Substitute Mahesh Singh fired wide, while Mohammad Sanan tested goalkeeper Mitul Marma with a long-range effort in the 65th minute. But Bangladesh held firm, anchored by the commanding presence of Hamza Choudhury deep in midfield, from where he could also organise the defence.

Bangladesh appealed for a penalty in the 81st minute when Fahim’s deflected header struck the back of Sandesh Jhingan's flailing arm as he was coming down from the aerial challenge, but the referee dismissed the claim. Replays showed the contact, but also that the Indian centre-back had no view of the ballIndia then launched a late surge, only for Mitul to remain composed between the posts.

However, Bangladesh could have doubled the lead in stoppage time when Fahim broke into the box, but failed to get past the last defender.

Moments later, the final whistle set off wild celebrations. Players embraced, fans erupted, and Bangladesh savoured a long-awaited victory, one that will echo in South Asian football for years to come. - UNB