Bangladesh midfielder Shamit Shome has called for greater concentration in the dying minutes of matches, following the national team’s late concession against Nepal that denied them a win.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s high-stakes clash against India in Dhaka, Shome emphasized the importance of closing out games.

The Cavalry FC midfielder addressed reporters on Saturday at the National Stadium, highlighting that lapses in focus cost Bangladesh valuable points in their recent outing.

“Luck hasn’t been on our side. Even that corner against Nepal… it could have been offside. Football is like that. But we need to stay focused until the 90th minute and beyond. The main thing is concentration and learning how to close out matches. We’re still building that experience, and slowly we’ll get there,” Shome said.

Although both Bangladesh and India are already out of contention in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, Tuesday’s match carries significance beyond points. The rivalry, national pride, and the desire to finish the campaign strongly have intensified the anticipation for the fixture. India returned to Dhaka after a seven-year hiatus, arriving with a full-strength squad, including Australia-based winger Ryan Williams. Their preparations included a commanding 6–1 victory over Bhutan, signaling their attacking intent.

Shome acknowledged India’s strength but remained confident in Bangladesh’s abilities. “We know India are a good team, but we’re a good team too. This match has meaning — the rivalry, the emotion. We’re ready, and we believe we can win on Tuesday,” he said.

On controlling the midfield, he added, “We’re confident — goalkeeper, defense, midfield, striker — we all trust each other. Past results haven’t gone our way, but performances have been improving. This time, we hope to get the win.”

Addressing perceptions that the team relies heavily on foreign-based players, Shome insisted, “This is a team of eleven. Local or foreign doesn’t matter. We win together, we learn together. That’s how we approach every match.” Reflecting on his personal journey with the national team, he added, “Our team spirit, passing, and control have improved a lot. The main thing now is to win. I haven’t won a match yet for Bangladesh — that’s what I’m searching for, and the whole team is searching for.”

On the motivation ahead of the India clash, Shome concluded, “This is a huge rivalry. We know the implications. Maybe we haven’t beaten them in 23 years. Motivation doesn’t need to be created — it’s already there. We know what this match means, and we’re ready to fight for it.”