Bangladesh managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Hong Kong, China in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers third-round match held at Kai Tak Sports Park in Kowloon. Rakib Hossain’s crucial equalizer kept Bangladesh’s slim qualification hopes alive.
Despite the draw, Bangladesh remains at the bottom of Group C with only two points from four games, while Hong Kong leads the group with eight points from an equal number of matches.
To have any chance of progressing, Javier Cabrera’s team must win their remaining two matches and hope for favorable results in other Group C fixtures. The first step is for hosts India to defeat Singapore in their upcoming match tonight at 8 pm.
For Bangladesh to advance realistically, India must win both their matches against Singapore and Hong Kong, and Hong Kong must lose to Singapore. This scenario would leave all teams tied on eight points after six games on March 31 next year, with qualification determined by goal difference. This means that Cabrera’s side not only needs victories but also convincing ones.
Bangladesh’s next challenge will be against India at home on November 18.