United News of Bangladesh

Sheikh Morsalin scripted a night to remember in Dhaka as Bangladesh defeated India 1–0 on Tuesday, ending a 22-year wait for a competitive victory over their regional rivals and securing their first win of the Asian Cup Qualifiers.  It also marked the team's first victory in what may come to be known as the 'Hamza Era', and may have ensured that they end their campaign as third in the group, above their much larger neighbours. Even if qualification was never a realistic target.   What turned out to be the winning goal came fairly early, capping what was probably the home team's best passage of play on the night, working some openings in the Indian backline and testing Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in the Indian goal. From well inside his own half, Morsalin started a counter attack by releasing Rakib Hossain into wide open spaces on the left, then ran almost the length of the pitch to arrive in the opposition box just in time to meet the return pass from Rakib, who did brilliantly. Morsalin pounced on a moment's hesitation between the Indian goalie and defender to execute a deft finish that ended up nutmegging Gurpreet.  Cue bedlam in the arena, as over 23,000 football-lovers packed into the National Stadium on this wintry evening sensed something special was in the offing. Only the footballers seemed to have other ideas.  From that moment, Bangladesh fought to protect the lead with grit and discipline, trading in the zeal and enterprise that leads to chances and most notably handed over possession of the ball to a struggling India side that ended the night bottom in their group.