India clash will be challenging yet thrilling, says Cabrera
He also stressed the importance of maximising results at home
Javier Cabrera, the head coach of Bangladesh's national football team, is eagerly anticipating the upcoming clash against India in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
Describing the match as both challenging and thrilling, the Spanish coach is confident his team can rise to the occasion in a group featuring India, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
The draw for the third round of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers was held on 9 December in Kuala Lumpur. Bangladesh, ranked 185th in the latest FIFA rankings, were placed in Pot Four and drawn into Group C.
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India, the group's highest-ranked team at 137th, present a significant hurdle, but Cabrera believes his team is up for the fight.
Speaking about the India encounter, Cabrera acknowledged the intensity surrounding the fixture. "We've been drawn into a challenging group, but I am thrilled about it. The match against India will be incredible for us," he said.
Bangladesh have recently shown promise in their encounters with India.
They held their neighbours to a 1-1 draw in the 2021 SAFF Championship and came close to a historic victory in the 2019 World Cup qualifiers, only to concede a late equaliser in Kolkata. Cabrera is hopeful his team can replicate that fighting spirit in the upcoming matches.
The qualifiers, which start in March, will see 24 teams divided into six groups, playing on a home-and-away basis. Cabrera stressed the importance of maximising results at home.
"We're strong on home soil, and that's our biggest asset. Securing as many points as possible from home matches will be crucial for us," he said.
The coach also highlighted the need for extensive preparation. "We need as many friendly matches as possible in the next five weeks before the qualifiers. Three or even four matches would be ideal," Cabrera added.
Reflecting on the group's overall composition, Cabrera said, "This is an exciting and competitive group. All teams, including Hong Kong and Singapore, are capable of challenging each other. But I believe we can compete strongly and aim for victories."
The Spanish coach remains optimistic, particularly about facing India. "We've waited a long time to play an official match against them. This is the right group for us," Cabrera concluded.
