Dominant Bangladesh waste four chances in goalless first half

Bangladesh wasted at least four scoring chances as the first half of their AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers fixture in Shillong ended goalless. 

Javier Cabrera's charges dominated the hosts, who look uncharacteristically nervous in front of their own crowd, in the first match of Group C of 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. 

Bangladesh's high-pressing football, with debutant Hamza Choudhury and Mohammad Hridoy dictating midfield, kept the control of the game to the visitors, however, glaring misses by Mojibur Rahman Jonny, Shahriar Emon, and Hridoy meant the men in red and green could not reap the rewards.    

India goalkeeper Vishal Kaith made a terrible start as he gifted two scoring opportunities to Bangladesh -- first in the opening minute when his shot went straight to Jonny, who failed to hit the target from an acute angle. 

Ten minutes later, Kaith's goalkick came straight off the back of Shakil Ahad Topu and dropped inside the box, but Hridoy's weak attempt on goal was cleared off the line by Subhashish Bose.

Shahriar Emon failed to keep a free header on target from a superb cross by Sheikh Morsalin seven minutes later while Jony once again failed to capitalise on a superb throughball with a heavy touch in the 41st minute. 

India's only real effort came in the 30th minute when Liston Colaco's cross was headed towards goal by Udanta Singh, cleared in front of goal by Rahmat Miah. Farukh Chowdhury's shot on the rebound was easily grasped by Mitul Marma.

With no Jamal Bhuiyan in the starting XI, Topu Barman wore the captain's armband, but the veteran centre-back limped off in the 21st minute and was replaced by Rahmat Mia.