Indian national team coach Manolo Marquez is aiming for a strong start as the Blue Tigers kick off their AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers final round against Bangladesh in Shillong on Tuesday.

India head into the match on the back of a commanding 3-0 victory over the Maldives last week, which also marked their first win under Marquez. Bangladesh, meanwhile, secured a 2-1 win against the same opponents when the two sides met in November last year.

Read Match Preview: India vs Bangladesh

The Indian squad, with a mix of experienced players and rising talents, is optimistic. Shillong’s high altitude and passionate home crowd are expected to be key factors in their favour.

On the other hand, Bangladesh arrives with determination, knowing that a positive result against India could greatly boost their confidence. The rivalry between these two teams runs deep, setting the stage for a competitive and intense battle.

Speaking ahead of the game, Marquez stressed the importance of a strong start, emphasizing that securing three points at home is crucial—especially with only the group winner advancing to the next stage.

“First game for the qualifiers for the Asian Cup. The first game is always important, and you cannot say how the game will be; let's see. Obviously, I feel that it can be a good game or a bad game, but it’s a very short competition, and only the top team qualifies. So, we will try to beat them,” he stated during the pre-match press conference.

"There are six games and we need to finish first. We want to get the maximum points possible to qualify for Saudi Arabia," he added.

Bangladesh’s squad has received a significant boost with the introduction of Sheffield United midfielder Hamza Choudhury, who is set to make his national team debut for the Bengal Tigers on Tuesday.

Currently on loan at the Championship club from Premier League side Leicester City, Choudhury has been part of the English side since 2015. His experience of competing at a high level will undoubtedly be an asset for Bangladesh in this crucial encounter.

Speaking about his inclusion in the squad, Marquez said, “He (Hamza Choudhury) is a very good player who has played in the Premier League. I think it's good not just for Bangladesh, but for Asian football that such players are playing for the national team. I feel that his teammates will be very motivated to play with him."

In terms of squad changes from India's recent friendly match against the Maldives, which India won, Marquez affirmed the consistency of his approach, reinforcing his team's tactical discipline and building on the momentum.

“No, in the end, the approach to every game is very similar. If you play against Bangladesh, against Maldives, or against another team, obviously, we are always expecting the best version of the opponent. Then, we prepare the game, but obviously, we cannot change our style. We know that if we play a good game, we will win,” he emphasized.

"Playing against all teams—not just Bangladesh, Hong Kong, or Singapore—the approach will remain the same. However, we must understand both the strengths and weaknesses of each opponent," Marquez concluded.

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2024-2025