Dhaka, Nov 16 (NationPress) The Indian senior men’s football team touched down in Dhaka on Saturday evening, just three days ahead of their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round clash against the host nation. Even though both teams are no longer in the running for qualification, Blue Tigers goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu emphasized that the historic rivalry remains strong.

“The intensity and competitiveness of the match will not diminish. For Bangladesh, playing against India is always a significant event,” Sandhu remarked, having faced the team three times at the senior level previously.

“We must be mentally and physically equipped, as this encounter is often a challenging one. It may not be the most aesthetically pleasing match to observe — it could be rough. As a team, we must be ready to confront any obstacles. Toughness is essential when we go up against them,” Sandhu added.

Defender Sandesh Jhingan, who led India during their last encounter with Bangladesh in March in Shillong, stated, “Our goals are straightforward: perform to our utmost capabilities and adhere to our game plan for as long as possible. If we achieve that, the outcomes will follow. We are determined to work hard and aim for victory this time.”

Winger Lallianzuala Chhangte is the sole player in the current squad who has previously played in Bangladesh — specifically during the 2018 SAFF Championship, where he netted a goal.

Both Jhingan and Sandhu have prior experience playing in Bangladesh with Indian youth teams and Bengaluru FC.

Jhingan recalled, “I’ve played here before with the Under-23s during the AFC U23 Championship qualifiers in 2015, as well as at the club level. The Bangladeshi fans are passionate about football and show remarkable support for their team. We played at the same venue for this match (the National Stadium in Dhaka).”

Jhingan and Sandhu were teammates at Bengaluru FC when they faced a 0-2 defeat to Abahani Limited Dhaka in the 2017 AFC Cup. Ultimately, however, the Indian club finished top of their group and advanced to the knockout stage.

Sandhu, who was part of the India U23 squad for the 2010 South Asian Games in Dhaka, noted, “Playing here has always been an enriching experience. It’s never an effortless visit because the competition is fierce. Given our proximity, the local team strives to perform well against us and presents a formidable challenge. This has been my experience with both the national team and club football whenever we’ve visited in the past.

“However, that was quite some time ago. Bangladesh has improved their infrastructure and made substantial investments. Their passion for football has intensified, and the national team is making strides.”

The Indian squad received a warm welcome upon arrival at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, with extensive security measures coordinated by the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and local law enforcement. A police escort guided the team bus to their hotel, and the Blue Tigers have maintained their training schedule as planned. The Indian team is currently operating within a strict security perimeter, ensuring their safety, although they have not encountered any issues.

“I’d like to express my gratitude to the Bangladesh federation for their generous hospitality since our arrival. They’ve been exceptionally kind and accommodating. We were briefed before coming here. Nevertheless, I have faith in the Indian High Commission and local authorities regarding our safety. As athletes, our focus is solely on delivering our best performance on the field. Sports have the power to unite people, and I hope this match brings a positive atmosphere. So far, we’ve felt comfortable,” Jhingan shared.

Sandhu agreed, stating, “We were aware of the domestic situation here. It’s certainly not ideal. However, our priority is to play football, and that’s all we think about. Since our arrival yesterday, we haven’t felt unsafe. Everything has been well organized thus far. We just need to concentrate on what lies ahead and our responsibilities on the pitch.”

On Sunday, Khalid Jamil’s men held an activation session in the morning, followed by an afternoon training session. They will have an official training session at the National Stadium on Monday. The match is set to commence at 19:30 IST on Tuesday and will be broadcast live on FanCode.