Bangladesh are ranked third and fourth in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Although both teams have equal points, Bangladesh is ahead in the table due to more goals scored. The two neighboring teams, who have already been eliminated, are now facing each other in a battle of dignity. The first leg match of the two teams in Sikkim ended in a goalless draw. This time, Bangladesh’s goal is to defeat India in a battle of dignity.
India has called up Ryan Williams, who played one match for the Australian national team, to the team. Photo: ISL
Host Bangladesh will face India at the Dhaka National Stadium on November 18. Bangladesh is ready to challenge India with a full-strength team in this match. Hamza Chowdhury and Samit Som will be accompanied by Cuba Mitchell, a former player of the youth team of the English club Sunderland, in this match against India.
Earlier, Hamza Chowdhury made his debut in the Bangladesh jersey with the first leg match in Sikkim. If the finishing was good in that match, Bangladesh could have left the field with a victory. Hamzai alone shook the Indians. The addition of Samit Som and Cuba Mitchell has further strengthened the red-green jersey holders. As a result, a tough challenge awaits India.
India is also on the same path to strengthen its strength before the return leg match against Bangladesh. They have brought in Australian forward Ryan Williams. The 32-year-old Williams has renounced his Australian citizenship and taken Indian citizenship. On Sunday (November 9), the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said that he has joined the ongoing national team camp in Bengaluru under the supervision of Khalid Jamil. He is accompanied by defender Jay Gupta.
The 32-year-old Williams, who was born in Perth, Australia, is now going to start a new chapter in the Indian team. The camp began in Bengaluru on Thursday (November 6) in preparation for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh to be held in Dhaka on November 18.
The AIFF took this bold step last week. The country has opened the door to foreign players of Indian origin or those who wish to take Indian citizenship in the national team. As part of this, they have called up two expatriate players – Ryan Williams and Avneet Bhati – to the national team camp.
Williams’ Indian citizenship ceremony took place at the Bengaluru FC training centre, where the legendary Sunil Chhetri personally handed over the citizenship certificate to him.
Williams later wrote on Instagram, “What I have been feeling in my heart for so long, today is officially true. I am grateful for the love, opportunity and sense of belonging in this country. As you can see, the last interview was the toughest! India, now I am one of you.”
Williams’ mother was born in Mumbai, and her father in Kent, England. This is only the second time in Indian history that an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) player has changed his citizenship and become eligible to play for the national team.
Williams has played for Australia’s under-20 and under-23 teams, and even came on as a second-half substitute for the national team in a friendly against South Korea in 2019.
He has played for English clubs Fulham and Portsmouth. In 2023, he joined Indian Super League (ISL) team Bengaluru FC.
Williams was preceded by Izumi Arata, who was born in Japan in 2012 and became an Indian citizen. He played nine matches for the Blue Tigers between 2013 and 2014.
