After starting their Asian Games football campaign with a 5-1 defeat against China, the hosts, this Bangladesh game was always going to be a testing one, especially with some squad members not reaching Hangzhou until just hours before the second match. And it took India 81 minutes to finally break the deadlock against a stubborn and well-organised Bangladesh defence. Bryce Miranda, the best player on the pitch with his runs and crosses down the left wing, was clumsily tackled by Rahmat Mia, Bangladesh’s captain, and the referee from the Philippines had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Sunil Chhetri, a peripheral presence for most of the game, buried the ball in the side netting to the goalkeeper’s right off a short run-up, and India could breathe a little easier.
Chhetri, Ahmed Rabeeh and Rahul KP had all had chances brilliantly saved by Mitul Marma in the Bangladesh goal in the dying moments of the first half. Rahul’s header into the ground was touched on to the post, and that was as close as India came until the penalty.
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Bangladesh held India at bay for long periods by crowding the six-yard box with defenders and meeting crosses head on. This was a game that tested the mental fortitude, physical prowess and attacking flair. Most of India’s attacking threat came through Miranda whose incisive runs and well-placed lofted balls into the six-yard box caused Bangladesh all sorts of problems.
India were largely comfortable on the ball, except for some moments where their misplaced passes gave Bangladesh the chance to attack. In fact, most of the chances that Bangladesh had throughout the game did not come from them passing the ball well or making forays into the box, but from them capitalising on mistakes made by India.
India’s performance was workmanlike at best, but after several players had gone down with cramp against China, after not even one training session as a group, this was not a game for flowing football. Ultimately, India did what they needed to, and thoughts now turn to Myanmar on Sunday. Igor Stimac, the coach, Chhetri and the side now know the equation – win against Myanmar and a place in the round of 16 is certain. After all the drama surrounding their arrival in China and the lack of preparation, that would be some achievement in itself.