Wasteful Bangladesh edge past Laos

Wasteful Bangladesh edge past Laos

Dhaka, Oct 1 (Just News): Local boy Biplu Ahmed struck in the 60th minute as Bangladesh got off to a winning start in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup with a 1-0 win over Laos in the opening match in Sylhet on Monday.

Bangladesh’s maiden win over Laos in three meetings not only entertained the packed crowd at the Sylhet District Stadium but also bolstered their chance of qualifying for the semi-finals of the six-team tournament.

The win, Bangladesh third in last four international matches, also earned some consolation for the side after their SAFF Championship debacle last month, when they failed to qualify for the semi-finals despite winning their opening two matches.

Bangladesh needed only a draw in their last group match in SAFF but they lost to Nepal 0-2 to be eliminated from the first round for the fourth successive time.

Bangladesh’s English coach Jamie Day brought only two changes in the starting eleven from the Nepal defeat as midfielder Rabiul Islam and striker Nabib Newaj Jibon replaced Mamunul Islam and injured Saad Uddin in an attacking formation of 4-4-2.

‘I'm delighted with this win. The boys looked a bit tired and the first half was slow but they showed their characters to win the match,’ Bangladesh coach Day said after the match.

‘All credit goes to the boys who really worked hard to keep another clean sheet. The boys deserved this win.’

The attacking approach nearly brought a reward for them in the opening 15 minutes as Bangladesh’s striking pair Jibon and Mahbubur Rahman Sufil exposed Laos’ back four from the word go.

Both the strikers came close to scoring few times but the absence of finishing powers denied them the success.

In the 11th minute, Jibon ran down the left flank before unleashing a powerful shot from edge of the box that went narrowly wide.

Sufil had only goalkeeper to beat in the 25th minute but the striker sent the ball wide.

Laos threatened to snatch the match away from wasteful Bangladesh with some good attacks but they also missed the cutting edge in the striking zone.

In the second half, Bangladesh started brilliantly but Sufil missed a bright chance again on the 47th minute.

Jibon and Sufil combined to create a chance for Biplu, who broke the deadlock in the hour-mark as his low shot from a difficult angle hit the back of the post after taking a deflection from goalkeeper Symanolinh.

‘Since the 2-2 draw in March against Laos, we have confidence that we can beat Laos again,’ said Biplu. ‘I’m really happy that I helped the team win in front of my family members.’

Bangladesh will face Philippines in their final group match at the same ground on Friday.

 

(Justnews/ys/2310hr)