India got off to a poor start in the first half of the FIFA World Cup Qualifer against Bangladesh at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday, trailing by a goal at half-time.
After holding Asian champions Qatar to a brilliant goal-less draw in their last FIFA World Cup qualifier, the Blue Tigers were expected to start strongly against Bangladesh. But it was the Bangla boys who took the lead against the run of play in the 42nd minute.
Indian defender Rahul Bheke conceded a free-kick in the midfield and Bangladesh captain Jamal Bhuyan stepped up to take it. Indian custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu came off the goal-line to clear Bhuyan's long cross but missed it completely, allowing Saad Uddin to steer a diving header into the net.
Bangladesh, in fact, had a chance to go ahead as early as the first minute of the match when the referee failed to notice what seemed like a clear penalty, after Bheke brought down Mohammed Ibrahim inside the box.
However, it was India that had the first shot at goal, with talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri volleying the ball to the Bangladesh goalkeeper Ashraful Rana in the fourth minute of the match.
India were content with sending those long hopeful balls into the opposition's half rather than holding the ball and stitching short passes and build up play, which they did effectively in their earlier matches against Oman and Qatar.
India survived a scare in the 32nd minute when defender Adil Khan made a mess of a routine clearance but Anas Edathodika came to the rescue.
India continued to press ahead but with little luck. The home team had their chances but were found wanting in front of the goal, before Bangladesh silenced the fans just before half-time.
