Bangladesh have been drawn against India in their group in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. The Spanish coach of the Bangladesh team, Javier Cabrera, is feeling the heat of this match in March next year.

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The draw for the third round of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday. According to the latest FIFA rankings, Bangladesh is in Pot 4. In the draw, Bangladesh is in Group C with India, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Bangladesh is the last team in the FIFA rankings among the four teams in the group, at 185th. The top team in this group is India, with their position at 137th in the FIFA rankings.

Although India is far ahead in head-to-head statistics, the results of the last matches between the two teams are encouraging. Bangladesh held India to a 1-1 draw in the 2021 SAFF Championship. In 2019, the Red-Greens drew 1-1 against India in Salt Lake City, Kolkata, despite leading.

The Asian Cup qualifiers will begin in March. The 24 teams will be divided into six groups and will play the matches on a home and away basis. Cabrera said, "We are in a challenging group. I am excited about this group." Regarding the India match, the coach said, "It will be a great match for us. It has been an exciting group. Challenging too. It is an interesting group. We want to win at home."

The coach added, "We have a good chance to play against India. Regarding Singapore, Cabrera said, "Singapore is ahead in the rankings. Singapore is probably the strongest team in attack. We have the potential to fight with them."

It is worth noting that Bangladesh will take on India in the first match of the Asian Cup qualifiers on March 25. That match will be held in India. Then, India will take on Bangladesh in the return leg on November 18. That match will be held in Bangladesh.