Bangladesh, Afghanistan play goalless draw

Bangladesh played to a goalless draw with visiting Afghanistan in the first match of two-match FIFA Tier-1 Int'l series held at Bashundhara King Arena in the city on Sunday, report agencies.
The day's match was special in the football history of Bangladesh. For the first time, a national football team played a match in a club stadium. Jamal and Co. had the opportunity to make the day special, but they could not color the Kings Arena.
In the first half, hosts Bangladesh were ahead in ball possession and attack and also created few scoring chances.
Bangladesh came close of scoring in the 24th minute. Taking a pass from Morsalin Rakib took a shot from the danger zone, but Afghan defender blocked the ball brilliantly.
Three minutes later Afghanistan narrowly missed a goal from a counter attack when the ball went beside the side bar after deflecting the leg of defender Tariq Kazi.
After the breather, Bangladesh got the easiest chance in the match when Morsalin missed that opportunity in the 55th minute. Taking a shot pass from Rakib he could not send the ball to the net, despite finding the Afghanistan custodian helpless under the bar as the ball sailed harmlessly over the cross bar.
Substitute Faisal Ahmed Fahim brought some momentum to the match. The Nepali referees awarded seven minutes of injury time but Bangladesh could not score any goal.
The second and ultimate match of the two-match series will be held on September 07 at the same venue.
Bangladesh national football team never win a match against Afghanistan national side in their last six meetings since 2006. Afghanistan won twice and the rest four matches between them ended in draw.
Bangladesh national team started their training session from August 21 at the Bashundhara Kings arena, but Bangladesh captain Jamal Bhuyan joined the team's practice session team on Thursday (August 31) after returning Dhaka from Argentina
Jamal Bhuyan made a memorable debut in the Argentine league last Sunday to lead his new club Sol de Mayo to a 2-1 victory over Germinal scoring a goal in the 81st from a penalty.
Jamal Bhuyan supposed to leave Dhaka for Argentina soon after playing the 2nd FIFA International Friendly against Afghanistan on September 7 to play the next match of his Argentine team (Sol de Mayo) against Olimpo on September 9.