"From Teesta to Felani, how many more Victims?" – Bangladesh sends message to India

Bangladesh savoured the sweet taste of victory over India after 22 long years, thanks to Sheikh Morsalin's clinical finish. Captain Jamal Bhuiyan and Hamza Choudhury led from the front to seal a 1-0 win in the Asian Cup qualifier. But this wasn't just another match; the subtext ran deep, evident in every tackle and chant.

Before kick-off, Jamal had set the tone, declaring his team would fight for every inch. He even shared a video of Indian player Brandon Fernandes being tackled hard – a subtle reminder that words wouldn't cut it on the pitch.

That fire spread to the stands. For years now, Bangladesh matches have turned the National Stadium into a sea of red and green. This South Asian derby delivered its finest chapter yet.

Echoes of the iconic July uprising slogan – "Delhi or Dhaka? Dhaka! Dhaka!" – rang out repeatedly.

The most striking moment came from the stands. A huge tifo unfurled with the words “From Teesta to Felani, how many more victims?”

It was a direct indictment of years of border killings and the still-unresolved Teesta water-sharing deadlock. Even during periods of so-called friendly relations, bodies kept falling at the frontier while successive governments in Dhaka remained silent. That bottled-up anger finally exploded through the banners and voices of the football crowd.

India came determined to win at any price. They coaxed Sunil Chhetri out of international retirement just before the first leg and flew in Ryan Williams for the return match without FIFA clearance. These were clear signs of desperation against a team they once dismissed. When Morsalin’s goal put them behind, composure cracked. Tempers flared and scuffles broke out. A proper derby rarely stays polite.

Had Bangladesh walked away without the three points, the night would have felt hollow despite all the passion.

But Hamza, Morsalin, and the rest refused to let that happen. They delivered the win. With it came a victory that tasted far sweeter than the scoreline alone could ever suggest.