Hosts Bangladesh got off to a flying start in the seven-nation 12th SAFF Suzuki Cup 2018, the biggest soccer carnival of the region, beating Himalayan nation Bhutan by 2-0 goals in the 2nd opening day match at the country's premier sports venue-Bangabandhu National Stadium-here on Tuesday, reports UNB.
With the day's feat, Bangladesh not only took revenge of their frustrating 1-3 goals defeat against Bhutan in the ACC Asia Cup Qualifiers in Thimphu in 2016 to refrain from international football for 17 months, but also brightened their chance to reach semifinals from Group A obtaining full three points from first engagement.
In the previous SAFF Championship in India in 2015, Bangladesh outplayed Bhutan by 3-0 goals to record their 8th win in eleven encounters.
Bangladesh, which were eliminated from the group stage of the last three SAFF Championships after winning the title 15 years ago in 2003, displayed a good brand of football on their way to long-cherished SAFF mission.
In the day's match, veteran defender Topu Barman scored the first goal for Bangladesh in the very 3rd minute from a penalty amid huge cheers from home crowd (1-0).
Bangladesh awarded the spot kick when their onrushing medio Atiqul Rahman Fahad was fouled by one of the Bhutanese defenders in the danger zone while trying to foil a corner kick of Waly Faisal. Finally, Topu Barman did no mistake to convert a penalty.
Teenaged striker Mahbubur Rahman Sufil sounded the Bangladesh margin in the very 2nd minute of the 2nd half (47th minute) by an angular volley shot from the right wing (2-0).
There was a huge crowd in the stadium after a long time to witness the match.
In the remaining Group A matches, Bangladesh will play Pakistan on Thursday (Sept 6) at 7 pm and meet Nepal on Saturday (Sept 8) at the same time.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
