Sports
SAFF Bangladesh kept their hopes of semis alive by defeating Maldives
Dhaka, June 26: Bangladesh played good football in the do-or-die match in SAFF Championship. Javier Cabrera's team defeated Maldives 3-1 despite conceding the first goal.
With this victory, the red-green jersey holders kept their hopes alive in the tournament. Now in 'B' group, Lebanon, Bangladesh and Maldives have 3 points for all three teams. Bangladesh is number two.
The red-green jersey holders ended the first half with a 1-1 tie. Hamza Mohammad scored for Maldives in the 17th minute. Rakib Hossain of Bangladesh scored the goal in 42 minutes. Tariq Kazi scored in the 67th minute and Sheikh Morsalin scored in the 90th minute.
This match of Bangladesh in SAFF Football in Bengaluru was do-or-die. Jamal Bhuiyan's team started playing with power from the beginning. In the first half, Bangladesh took 13 shots with 56 percent possession, 4 of which were on target. On the other hand, Maldives got a goal in one of 3 shots.
Bangladesh could have got a free-kick in a dangerous place in the tenth minute. But Faisal was thrown just outside the box by a Maldivian footballer, but the referee did not blow the whistle. Bangladesh gets a corner if the ball goes out. Jamal Bhuiyan's corner from the left was headed in by Sohail Rana. But the Maldivian goalkeeper caught it.
Playing against the current, Maldives took the lead in the 17th minute. Hamza Mohammad scored a great goal (1-0) with a shot from well outside the box from Fasir's pass from the right.
However, right before the break, Bangladesh's luck turned around. In the 42nd minute, Sohail Rana lofted the ball into the box, Tapu headed it to Rakib. Rakib also put the ball in the net with a great header (1-1). Both teams go into the break with equality.
Bangladesh maintained dominance in the second half as well. Had another good chance early on. In the 62nd minute, the coach made three changes, including removing captain Jamal Bhuiyan. After five minutes (67 minutes) Bangladesh went ahead. Hriday took the first shot in the box, then a foot into the third attempt and Tarek Kazi volleyed the ball into the net from the tangle.
In the 90th minute, Morsalin scored an eye-catching goal after getting the ball made by Bishwanath on the right side of the box.
