The defeat against Qatar is history, focus now is on Bangladesh clash – Brandon Fernandes

India fought bravely against Asian Champions Qatar at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium but went down 1-0. Rahul Bheke was sent off in the 17th minute of the game and Abdulaziz Hatem scored for Qatar in the 33th minute to give his team the lead.

However, India’s midfielder believes the Blue Tigers have moved on from their defeat on Thursday and their focus is on the clash against Bangladesh.

“We are moving as a team and we need to back each other. We are aware that we have specific roles in the team. The next match is extremely crucial as we need to sustain the momentum gained in the first match. The first match is history,” the AIFF Media Team quoted the FC Goa star as saying.

On the other hand, ATK Mohun Bagan talisman Subhasish Bose had done a fine job for India in the match against Qatar. Bose feels the Indian team will not take their neighbours lightly as they had given them a stern competition in the previous meeting.

Bangladesh had taken a 1-0 lead against India back in October 2019 and it was Adil Khan’s goal in the 88th minute which saved the team from the ignominious defeat.

“We are aware of the quality of the Bangladesh team. They are a side that plays a lot of counter-attacking football, and that is very dangerous. India versus Bangladesh have always been exciting and close matches. We have huge respect for Bangladesh.”

Meanwhile, Jamie Dey, Bangladesh’s head coach also spoke on the same lines.

“India is a very good team. They are a much higher-ranked team than us who should be beating the likes of Bangladesh. The difference in ranking and quality is huge. In Kolkata, we did play very well. I look back and feel that India had an off-day on that night,” he says.

“You look at India’s last match against Qatar – with 10-men [after Rahul Bheke’s red card in the 17th minute] they fought like warriors and lost 0-1. It only depicts the quality in their side. We are looking forward to the game. We are aware that we need to play to our maximum, and hope India has another off-day,” he adds.

India is currently placed at the fourth place in the second round of Group E with three losses and as many draws in six matches whereas Bangladesh is placed at fifth place.