AFC Asian Cup
BD begin campaign on losing note
Thursday, 9 June 2022
Bangladesh began their AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers campaign with a losing note as they suffered a 0-2 goal defeat to mighty Bahrain in their opening group E match held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Wednesday, reports BSS.
Midfielders Ali Abdulla Haram and Karim Al Aswad scored one goal each for the Bahrain. Both the goals came in the first half.
Haram and Karim Al Aswad ensured a facile victory for the Bahrain, who were on course for a huge victory but Bangladesh goal-keeper Anisur Rahman Zico was superb under the bar as he failed Bahrain's number of scoring opportunities.
In the day's match, Ali Abdulla Haram's opened the net scoring the first goal for Bahrain in the 34th minute with a perfect header from the close range capitalising on a corner kick.
Kamil Al-Aswad doubled the lead in the 42nd minute with a low shot that found the net after beating the Bangladesh's custodian Zico.
Back with a healthy 2-0 lead, Bahrain resumed the second half and continued their onslaught but the boys in red and green were firm and could not allow mighty Bahrain to penetrate the net further.
During the proceeding, Bangladesh, however, got only scoring opportunity when skipper Jamal Bhuyan's free kick narrowly missed the side post in the 31st minute.
Bahrain and Bangladesh have only ever met once before in the 1979 President's Cup, with the Middle East side winning 2-0.
Bangladesh which placed at group E along with Bahrain Turkmenistan and Malaysia in the AFC Asian Cup, will play the second match Turkmenistan on Saturday (June 11) and meet host Malaysia on June 14.
On the other hand, Bahrain will now face Malaysia on Saturday (June 11) before meeting Turkmenistan next Tuesday in the third and last match the qualifying contest.
The group winners' automatically go through to the finals.
Earlier, Bangladesh were placed in strong Group E of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers with Bahrain, Turkmenistan, and hosts Malaysia. They will play against Turkmenistan on June 11 and will face hosts Malaysia on June 14.