India and Bangladesh have shared the spoils in a 0-0 stalemate in the opening game of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. 

Both teams created a lot of chances but failed to convert any of them. Boris Singh showcased an impressive display in his first start for the national team, whereas Hamza Choudhury, the Premier League star, has put up a monumental performance in his debut for Bangladesh. 

Sunil Chhetri and Subhasish Bose had more than one chance, but Bangladesh's defence kept that at bay. On the contrary, Bangladesh found chances through Jony and Rakib mostly, who failed to convert the chances.

The first goalless draw between India and Bangladesh since 1999 as both teams started off their campaign with a point apiece. 

It ends all square in Shillong.#INDBAN #ACQ2027 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/KGNBDBHcEf

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 25, 2025

Rakib got his feet on the ball out of nowhere on the left side of the box but sailed his strike way over the target!

Brison received the ball inside the box and showed his skills before delivering a cut-back pass. Hamza Choudhury stood tall in making a crucial interception, and the ball was cleared away.

Irfan Yadwad and Rahmat Mia both went for a ball but collided instead. The players are receiving medical attention.

Fahim suddenly found space on the left to slice a left-footed strike from a distance, which was brilliantly stopped by Vishal Kaith under India's sticks!

In: Ashique Kuruniyan, Irfan Yadwad

Out: Sunil Chhetri, Subhasish Bose

Mahesh whipped the ball into the box from the middle, which found Chhetri totally free inside the box, but that was a very lackluster header from Chhetri.

Chhetri visibly can not belive it! 

🚨 Group C update! Singapore 🇸🇬 and Hong Kong 🇭🇰 play out a goalless draw in their opening game of the AFC Asian Cup final round qualifiers.

A big chance for India 🇮🇳 to capitalize ⚽🔥

#AFCAsianCupQualifiers #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/6mBf7SqMa1

— The Bridge Football (@bridge_football) March 25, 2025

In: Sohel Rana, Mohammed Sohel Rana

Out: Shekh Morsalin, Mohammad Hridoy

In: Brison Fernandes

Out: Farukh Chaudhary

Hossain squared the ball into the middle from the right, as Mohammad Fahim attempted to find a touch on it but ended up shooting the ball wide. 

Colaco delivered the corner into the middle. where Subhasish Bose unleashed a bolstering header, but that went past the near post!

Sunil Chhetri set the ball up for Farukh with a short pass just in front of the box, but Farukh's strike suffered a deflection and soared just past the left post!

Can India or Bangladesh break the deadlock?

Mohammad Hridoy received a booking for a nasty challenge on Apuia.

Subhiasish Bose cut it into the middle and unleashed a blistering right-footed strike that went inches off the right post!

In: Suresh Wangjam, Naoream Mahesh Singh

Out: Ayush Dev Chhetri, Udanta Singh

Sunil Chhetri had an attempt following the cross from the corner, but he skied it way over the bar!

In: Chandon Roy, Mohammed Fahim

Out: Shahriar Emon, Mahbubur Jony

Kaith gave away the ball once again, and Jony entered the box before passing it into the middle. Subhasish Bose made two important interceptions to clear the ball away from danger.

Vishal has clearly been under so much pressure tonight so far. Those are very uncharacteristic errors from the Indian skipper.

Sunil Chhetri powered a header from the middle of the box following a cross from the right, but Hamza Chaudhary did well to block the attempt.

There was an appeal for handball from the Indian players, but the referee kept things as it is.

Liston Colaco did his best to beat Rahmat Mia on the left before producing a right-footed cross into the box, but Sunil Chhetri could not reach the height to meet the ball.

Rakib Hossain sprinted upwards on the right but side-netted his strike with a powerful grounder.

Liston displayed excellent footwork to breeze past Rahmat in the center before driving down the left flank. Hamza Chouchury made a strong challenge to win the ball for Bangladesh.

Nothing to separate India and Bangladesh at the break.#INDBAN #ACQ2027 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/yAsAvYzV5c

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 25, 2025

This was a brilliantly executed counter-attack from Bangladesh, as Jony went past everyone on the right, with only Vishal Kaith standing in front of him, but the Indian keeper came forward to dive on his feet, denying him from taking a firm strike from such a close distance!

Liston Colaco delivered a cross from the left corner, trying to pull off an Olympico goal, but Mitul jumped above all to flick it around the far post.

Sunil Chhetri was totally locked down inside the box, but he played it to Farukh, whose strike was immediately blocked!

Hossain breezed past Boris on the left and tried to put a cross in, which ended up in a very well-claimed catch in the air by Kaith. 

On the quick counter-attack, Liston went towards the goal from the left flank but could not find Sunil Chhetri in the middle, who was pushed down by Rahmat in the middle. Lack of options forced Liston to take the strike all by himself, but the ball rolled inches off the far post.

Following the cross from Rahmat, Subhasish blocked Emon on the right, as the second ball was perfectly cleared by Apuia on time!

Subhasish Bose sprinted upwards from the left, producing a vicious cross into the box as Udanta powered a header but kept it off target! Farukh had another bite from the second ball, but his shot was saved by Mitul at the left bottom corner!

Liston kept the strike on target from a long distance, but it was a routine collection for Bangladesh custodian Mitul, who claimed it easily.

Rakib sprinted on the left flank with pace, but Rahul Bheke made a last-minute clean tackle that denied the Bangladeshi forward from producing a cross.

Liston unleashed the set-piece free kick with his right foot and sailed a cross into the box, but substitute Rahmat flicked the ball away for a corner.

Big blow for Bangladesh as captain Topu Barman is replaced and is stretchered off the field.

In: Rahmat Mia

Out: Topu Barman

Jony gets the first yellow of the evening for a foul on Ayush Chhetri.

Sandesh Jhingan sent the ball over the line to clear off a looming danger following an attack from Jony, who entered the box from the right.

In the opening quarter of this match, Bangladesh has received quite a few opportunities while India has yet to attempt a shot on goal.

That was an unconventional error from Vishal Kaith, who wanted to release the attack, but Shakil Topu blocked the shot. The ball went back to Hridoy, who had an open goal in front of him, but his strike from the left was spectacularly blocked on the goal-line by Subhasish Bose!

Farukh Choudhary received the ball on the right flank, but Topu Barman made a no-nonsense challenge to clear the ball. 

Hamza won the ball in the middle and led the attack upwards, but Rahul Bheke made a strong clearance. 

Things are underway in Shillong!

KICK-OFF in Shillong ▶️

Come on, India 🇮🇳#INDBAN #ACQ2027 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/NewIhCVW5G

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 25, 2025

Starting XI: Mitul Marma (GK); Saad Uddin, Topu Barman (C), Tariq Qazi, Shakil Topu Jr,; Mohammad Hridoy, Hamza Choudhury; Shahriar Emon, Shekh Morsalin, Mahbubur Jony; Rakib Hossain

Subs: Jamal, Sujon, Srabon, Rahmat, Sakil, Faysal, Sohel, Chandon, Faysal, Ibrahim, Amin

Head Coach: Javier Cabrera

Starting XI: Vishal Kaith (GK); Rahul Bheke, Subhasish Bose, Sandesh Jhingan, Boris Singh; Udanta Singh, Apuia; Liston Colaco, Farukh Chaudhary, Ayush Chhetri; Sunil Chhetri

Subs: Gurmeet, Amrinder, Chinglensana, Mehtab, Suresh, Roshan, Macarton, Brison, Mahesh, Yadawad, Valpuia, Ashique

Head Coach: Manolo Marquez

Here's how India line up for the #ACQ2027 opener against Bangladesh ⚔️

🇮🇳🆚🇧🇩

📺 @JioHotstar & @StarSportsIndia 3#INDBAN #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/Aabo9Lk1YU

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 25, 2025

Javier Cabrera on Hamza Choudhary’s addition? 🗣️ : “Hamza, obviously, is a good player who played in the Premier League. I think it's good for not just us, but Asian football that such players play for NT. I feel players will be very motivated to play with him.” #90ndstoppage pic.twitter.com/o5Jc4G6MMk

— 90ndstoppage (@90ndstoppage) March 24, 2025

👕 #AsianCup2027 🌟 #ACQ2027 🇮🇳#BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/iK2OsN3ncn

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 25, 2025

Indian defender Sandesh Jhingan, and coach Manolo Marquez along with Bangladesh skipper Jamal Bhuyan, and coach Javier Cabrera in the pre-match press conference on March 23 ahead of the match. (Image Credit | Bangladesh Football Federation)

🇮🇳 Let’s get the job done, #BlueTigers! 🐯#ACQ2027 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/NDILl6aKk9

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 25, 2025

47 years of history between 🇮🇳 & 🇧🇩

We meet for the 29th time today 🤜🤛#INDBAN #ACQ2027 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/OUqfnIsPDV

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 25, 2025

Indian football fans can watch the live broadcast of the India vs Bangladesh match on Star Sports 3 TV Channel. The match will also be streamed live on the JioHotstar App and the JioHotstar website.

Match: India vs Bangladesh

Tournament: 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Third & Final Round 

Date: 25 March 2025

Time: 7:00 PM IST

Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, (Polo Ground), Shillong

The first international game in Shillong gifts India a statement 3-0 victory over Maldives. The Blue Tigers have secured a win after 489 days, bringing the first victory under Manolo Marquez as well!

A dominant display from India put three past the Red Snappers. Rahul Bheke, Liston Colaco, and Sunil Chhetri all scored headers to hand India a confident victory!

India will go on to play against Bangladesh in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers on March 25th.

Dominant display in Shillong! 💥 😍

Bheke, Liston & Chhetri on the scoresheet as the #BlueTigers roar to victory! 🇮🇳⚽ #IndianFootball #BackTheBlue #Bheke #Liston #Chhetri #Footballindia #score pic.twitter.com/Cn8snJSjJ1

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) March 19, 2025

Three headers get the job done for India in Shillong! 🇮🇳💙#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/ZiD5VuJWub

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Apuia sliced a quick long-ranger from a distance, that went just inches off the left post.

Irfan Yadwad sent the ball into the net despite being flagged for offside. He received an instant yellow for delaying.

Maldives skipper Samooh Ali gets a booking for a frustrated foul on Farukh.

In: Usaama

Out: Sifaau

In: Raif, Nisham

Out: Madudhee, Aiham

In: Abhi Meitei, Irfan Yadwad, Ashique Kuruniyan

Out: Sunil Chhetri, Liston Colaco, Subhashish Bose

Rahul Bheke and Subhashish Bose made two consecutive blocks to keep the defence intact.

Just like he never left!

Mahesh's cross from the right was missed to be anticipated by Farukh. However, Liston anticipated in on the left and sailed a cross into the box, and Sunil Chhetri headed it behind as te ball easily found the back of the net!

95th International goal for the Indian skipper!

95TH GOAL FOR SUNIL CHHETRI 🔥🔥🔥

🇮🇳 INDIA 3-0 MALDIVES 🇲🇻

India is totally dominating the Gameplay 💪
pic.twitter.com/BYa69h1Cbl

— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) March 19, 2025

Hassan Nazeem had a first-time effort from close to the goal, but Vishal made a routine collection.

In: Hassan Nazeem, Naiz Hassan, Hussain Nihaan

Out: Hamza Ahmad, Ali Fazir, Mohamed Naim

Aiham Ahmad gets a yellow for a foul.

All the efforts have finally paid off for Liston Colaco!

Mahesh curled the corner right into the middle of the box as Liston jumped above the Maldives' defence and powered the header into the net!

India doubles up the lead!

That was a brilliant minus from the left by Farukh on the right, as Liston's first-time strike was marvelously denied by Shareef!

Naorem Mahesh took a quick strike from just the front of the box, but the ball went over the crosspiece.

In: Boris Singh, Apuia

Out: Suresh Wangjam, Valpuia

Farukh combined up with Chhetri before attempting to cut back a pass to the captain, instead of taking a shot at goal. The Maldives' defence closed him down, resulting in a crucial clearance.

Fasil played it to Ahmad Aiham whose flick failed to approach any power and went off the target.

In a similar way to the previous attack, Farukh had another opportunity from the corner of the penalty area but he overpowered his strike that soared over the bar.

Farukh had acres of space in front of him while running toward the goal from the left flank, but slipped down inside the box before having a strike.

Sunil Chhetri got a hold of the ball following Mahesh's corner, but Hamza Mohammed stretched his leg out on the bottom right corner to put up a brilliant goal-line block, denying Chhetri's efforts!

The second half is underway! ▶️
Let's go for more, India! 🙌

🇮🇳 1-0 🇲🇻

📺 @JioHotstar & @StarSportsIndia 3#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/H1eI4Dc49x

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Liston delivered another curler crossed in from the left, but no one at the other end to anticipate, leading the ball to roll away.

Sunil and Mahesh combined up in front of the box, as Valpuia got the ball on the right and whipped in a swift cross. Farukh got his head at the end of the cross but his header from an open space went totally off target, soaring past the left post.

This does not look very good for Manolo Marquez's team as Brandon was stretchered off the pitch around the 40th minute. 

Another injury blow for India.

In: Farukh Chaudhary

Out: Brandon Fernandes

Sifaau is booked for a tough foul on Liston.

There is an injury concern regarding Brandon Fernandes as he looks to have sustained an apparent injury.

The Indian midfielder is receiving medical attention.

Here comes the much-coveted goal for the Blue Tigers!

Another brilliant cross from the left corner, delivered by Brandon, and Rahul Bheke jumped above all in the middle of the six-yard-box and powered the header right into the net!

India takes the lead!

Brandon whizzed in a cross from the corner, but Mehtab Singh's header failed to find the net as the ball went over the crossbar.

Ali Fazir almost anticipated the cross inside the box but an important touch from Bheke inside the box cleared the danger away. After a string of passes, Ibrahim unleashed a powerful strike from a distance that soared over the crosspiece.

Suresh delivered a long ball over the top for Chhetri. The Indian skipper chased it into the penalty area but Maldives captain Samooh calmly cleared the ball away.

Liston Colaco whipped in another direct free-kick from around 25 yards out of goal, but his curling effort sailed inches past the right post!

Three golden opportunities from three set-pieces so far, but no goals from the Indian side!

Liston's right-footed curler whipped inside from the left flank but was too high to find Mahesh on the right end.

🇮🇳💙#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/ClS9HvGFgC

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Suresh whipped in a low cross that sailed past the players and found Brandon on the edge of the box, but his half-volleyed strike did not have much power and bounced off the pitch and went past the right-post.

Liston Colaco put up a glimpse of his dribbling skills as he squeezed past Sifaau inside the box and slotted a grounder from the left, but a slight interception from Numan cleared the danger away!

Another set-piece free-kick is delivered into the box by Brandon from a tough corner on the left, as Rahul Bheke flicked it to the top-left corner but missed the target by inches! Another opportunity goes begging for India!

Suresh attempts to play the ball down the right wing, but no one has made a run, and the ball rolls out for a goal kick.

Hamza Mohammed and Ibrahim combined up in a speedy counter-attack as Hamza curled a right-footed strike just from in front of the 18-yard box, but Rahul Bheke stood tall in blocking the strike.

Suresh Wangjam cut through the middle corridor with the ball, but Numan's soft tackle dispossessed him off the ball.

Sunil Chhetri fired into the box from the left as he delivered a low cross that was headed back toward Shareef by Samooh. The Maldives custodian slipped the ball, as Naorem had an opportunity from a close range, but a well-timed tackle from Sifaau denied the Indian forward.

The match is underway in Shillong!

IT'S KICK-OFF! ▶️
The Indian men's team's first-ever match in Meghalaya is underway! 💙

🇮🇳 0-0 🇲🇻

📺 @JioHotstar & @StarSportsIndia 3#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/lFehCSqmO3

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Inching towards kick-off! 🔜#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/tRTl16BKGk

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

✅ Checked in at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 🏟️🙌#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/g3EgGbeIRV

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Starting XI: Hussain Shareef (GK); Samooh Ali (C), Ahmed Numan, Hussain Yoosuf, Haisham Hassan; Ahmed Aiham, Aisam Ibrahim, Ibrahim Hussain, Mohammed Naim; Hamza Mohamed, Ali Fasir

Subs: Naiz, Irufaan, Raif, Nazeem, Aleem, Shifaz, Majeedh, Nizam, Madudhee, Nihan, Rizuvan, Rasheed, Yameen

Head Coach: Ali Suzain

Starting XI: Vishal Kaith (GK); Subhashish Bose, Rahul Bheke, Mehtab Singh, Valpuia; Ayush Chhetri, Suresh Wangjam; Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco, Naorem Mahesh Singh; Sunil Chhetri (C)

Subs: Gurmeet, Amrinder, Chinglensana, Sandesh, Farukh, Roshan, Jeakson, Apuia, Yadwad, Boris, Ashique, Abhishek

Head Coach: Manolo Marquez

Manolo Márquez names his India XI 🇮🇳 as Sunil Chhetri takes the ©️ armband. Once again. 🤩

Cap number 152. 💙#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/HqH31mV9m4

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

𝗔 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧-𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 #𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗚! 🐯

🇮🇳 India take on Maldives 🇲🇻 in the FIFA International Friendly at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 🏟️

🕖 19:00 IST
📺 @JioHotstar & @StarSportsIndia 3#INDMDV #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/3PxZVEvSCk

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Maldives head coach Ali Suzain and India head coach Manolo Marquez in the pre-match press conference.

India and Maldives 🇮🇳🇲🇻 will face each other for the 19th time since their first meeting in 1987 🔙#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/0UieprBWtl

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Indian football fans can watch the India vs Maldives friendly match streamed live on Star Sports Network. The match will also be streamed live on the JioHotstar App and the JioHotstar website.  

Match: India vs Maldives - FIFA International Friendly

Date: 19 March 2025  

Time: 7:00 PM IST  

Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, (Polo Ground), Shillong