<p>India will face a difficult Bangladesh team in their crucial group encounter in the Asian Games football tournament here on Thursday after being humiliated by the hosts China in their initial game after going without any preparation sessions.<img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-192068″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/theindiaprint.com-india-must-defeat-bangladesh-in-their-football-match-at-the-asian-games-after-chin.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com india must defeat bangladesh in their football match at the asian games after chin” width=”1121″ height=”746″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/theindiaprint.com-india-must-defeat-bangladesh-in-their-football-match-at-the-asian-games-after-chin.jpg 275w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/theindiaprint.com-india-must-defeat-bangladesh-in-their-football-match-at-the-asian-games-after-chin-150×100.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 1121px) 100vw, 1121px” title=”India must defeat Bangladesh in their football match at the Asian Games after China destroyed them 1-5 3″></p>
<p>A disorganized Indian squad arrived late on Monday night, played its first game without much rest or sleep, and was destroyed 1–5 by China on Tuesday.</p>
<p>For Igor Stimac’s squad to still be in the running for the knockout rounds, Bangladesh must be defeated in their second Group A match.</p>
<p>The top third-place teams from the six groups may also proceed to the Round of 16, so a defeat on Thursday could not immediately eliminate India from consideration, but it will leave the squad facing many uncertainty in the decisive game.</p>
<p>India might play harder opponents in the pre-quarterfinals if they advance as one of the top four third-place teams.</p>
<p>Bangladesh has never been an easy opponent for India at any level, and they will be eager for a victory after falling to Myanmar 0-1 in their first game.</p>
<p>However, India will be bolstered by the addition of defender Konsam Chinglensana Singh, who was previously unable to travel with the squad owing to a visa delay. He came separately after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secured for him a “express visa” that could be obtained in two to three days.</p>
<p>Since the Indian Super League teams refused to release their players, the Sunil Chhetri-led squad was put together at the last minute with relatively few well-known names. Beating Bangladesh and recording its first victory of the campaign would not be simple.</p>
<p>The Indians maintained a level of play for the first 45 minutes before faltering, highlighting the difference in qualification between the two sides.</p>
<p>After the China match, Stimac acknowledged that he had a third-rung squad with him.</p>
<p>This squad is either our third or fourth choice. I would want to compete with my strongest squad against China. The situation would then be quite the reverse, but the players present are heroes, according to the Croatian coach.</p>
<p>“What they endured—traveling difficulties, arriving extremely late, being unable to rest—and how well they handled the first 45 minutes.</p>
<p>“I was realistic and realized that (a drew match) wouldn’t happen. Apart from the three guys we had, we had no backups, thus we were unable to adjust our strategy. The second half of the game was unaffected by us.</p>
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