Singapore secured their place in the Asian Cup on Tuesday when they beat Hong Kong 2–1 in the Group C qualifiers, a result that confirmed them as group champions and set the context for Bangladesh’s final match on 31 March.
The victory moved Singapore to the top of the group with 11 points from five matches. Hong Kong remain on eight points and will face India in their final fixture. If Hong Kong win and Bangladesh defeat Singapore, both Hong Kong and Singapore would finish level on 11 points. Singapore would still advance as group winners because they hold the head to head advantage after drawing the first meeting and winning the second.
Bangladesh, who lost 1–2 at home to Singapore earlier in the campaign, can finish with eight points if they win their final match. That would leave them three points short of qualification, a gap that will underline the frustration of their campaign.
Coach Javier Cabrera will be without forward Rakib Hossain and defender Topu Barman for the final match, both having been ruled out after receiving their second yellow cards of the competition during Tuesday’s draw with India. Fahmidul missed that match for the same reason. In total, Bangladesh have collected 11 yellow cards across their five qualifying fixtures.
The booking tally started in the opening match on 25 March when Hridoy and Mojibur Rahman Jony were cautioned against India. The highest number came on 10 June in the home match against Singapore when defenders Shakil Ahad Topu and Topu Barman along with forwards Fahim and Fahmidul were all shown yellow. Rakib Hossain was cautioned in Dhaka on 9 October, while Fahmidul and Tariq Kazi picked up cards in the away fixture on 14 October. Rakib and Topu added to that total again in the final home match.
