Bangladesh played out 1-1 against upper ranked as well as SAAF champions Afghanistan in the FIFA Friendly International at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city Tuesday, reports UNB.
Forward Jahid Hasan Emili put Bangladesh ahead by a header in the very fourth minute of the match. Bangladesh captain Mamunul Islam took a free kick from the right flank, Emili headed the ball which entered the post losing Afghanistan goalie Fardin Ibrahim's grip.
Bangladesh dominated the first half by 1-0 and kept their winning hope alive up to stipulated period of the second half, but the visitors put off the light by equalising the margin in the injury time.
Esmat Shanwary restored the parity in the 90+3 minute, Shanwary's left footed drive from the top of the box which fired the net aside the left post deceiving Bangladesh goalie Russell Mahmud Liton.
After 1-0, in the rain-soaked pitch Afghanistan were struggling to equalise the margin as well as to deliver their normal playing.
On the other hand, Bangladesh, taking an early lead, kept their fort intact up to stipulated period.
The visitors put a lot of pressure at the finishing stage and finally touched the momentum during the injury time.
Earlier, in the 13 minute of the match, winger Jewel Rana took an angular shot off a defender Nasirul Islam through pass, visitors' goalie Fardin fisted the ball for a corner. Emili spoiled an opportunity in the 44th minute as he failed to head the ball off a Jewel Rana's curved cross from the right flank, which was fisted by goalie Fardin.
Bangladesh youngster Hemanta Vincent failed to utilise a chance in the 55th minute off a Mamunul Islam free kick as Hemanta headed the ball which went out the side-post.
During the 24-29 minutes, Afghanistan created subversive pressure and earned five corners.
Afghan midfielder Faysal Shayesteh curved a free kick from 20 yards in the 31st minute which went a few inches over the crosspiece.
Bangladesh goalie Liton saved his side in the 51st minute gripping a grounder shot off winger Anwar Omer, after a right diving. On May 30, Bangladesh lost to Singapore 1-2 in the first friendly at the same venue.
All sides played the friendlies as part of their preparation ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers as well as AFC Asia Cup 2019 Qualifiers.
