Bangladesh's long-awaited victory over India was built on grit, discipline, and a flash of early brilliance from Sheikh Morsalin. But when the final whistle blew on a historic 1-0 win at Dhaka's National Stadium on Tuesday, midfielder Shamit Shome's thoughts drifted far beyond the night's celebrations.
They went to a man he had never met, but whose legacy he grew up hearing about: Zakaria Pintoo, the captain of the Swadhin Bangla Football Team, who passed away exactly one year ago.
Shamit was at the heart of Bangladesh's midfield on a night when head coach Javier Cabrera chose to start the Cavalry City midfielder.
And it took only 11 minutes for the change to bear fruit. Rakib Hossain's burst down the flank and square pass released fellow forward Morsalin, whose finish between the legs of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu secured Bangladesh's first win over India since 2003.
What followed was a tense, disciplined display, anchored by Hamza Choudury's tireless work and the team's collective resolve as India pressed in vain for an equaliser in the two teams' penultimate fixture of 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers after both sides had already suffered exit.
For Shamit, the night carried an extra layer of meaning.
"This win is for Zakaria Pintoo, the legendary captain of the Shadhin Bangla Football Team, who passed away on this very day last year," Shamit posted on Facebook after the match.
Photo: Firoz Ahmed
"His courage, leadership and love for Bangladesh continue to inspire every one of us who wears this jersey."
The midfielder had travelled 22 hours from Canada to join the national camp, and he did not hide how much the victory meant.
"Tonight was special -- this is exactly what we play for, what we fight for. To win games for Bangladesh. To make our people proud. Every mile, every moment of fatigue feels worth it when you hear our fans roar."
Pintoo's name is stitched into the fabric of Bangladesh's sporting history. As captain of the Swadhin Bangla Team in 1971, he led a side that travelled across India using football as a medium to raise funds, awareness and hope during the Liberation War.
As Bangladesh players celebrated the win, it felt as though two eras quietly touched hands -- the freedom fighters who used football as a symbol of resistance, and the new generation of overseas-groomed talents carrying the baton of evolution.
Photo: BFF
Shamit's tribute bridged that gap. "This win is for him. This win is for all of you," he said.
And on a cool Dhaka night, with the chants still echoing across Motijheel, it felt true.
