Hosts Bangladesh reached their dream semifinal of the six-nation Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football Tournament as Group A runners-up eliminating all-loser Sri Lanka by 1-0 goal at the flood-lit Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city Monday, reports UNB.
Attacking midfielder Hemanta Vincent Biswas scored the all-important goal for Bangladesh in the 41st minute by an angular ground shot amid thunderous applause from some 15,000 strong crowd at the big bowl and the millions of TV viewers.
Medio Zahid Hossain cut a cross to forward Zahid Hasan Emily who chested the ball down to Hemanta and the striker fired the net by a low shot deceiving opponent goalie Sujan Perera (1-0) .
Bangladesh will play the 2nd semifinal on Friday (Feb 6) at 5 pm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium against the Group B champions while Group A champions Malaysia Under-23 team will play the first semifinal on Thursday (Feb 5) against Group B runners-up. The day's victory was the 9th for Bangladesh (FIFA ranking 165) against Sri Lanka (172) in their 14 meetings where Sri Lanka won only three matches and drew two matches.
In the day's match, Bangladesh needed a draw to reach the semifinal of the FIFA and AFC approved international soccer meet of Bangladesh, but they smartly booked a seat for the last four with a deserving victory.
Bangladesh lost to Malaysia Under-23 team 0-1 while Sri Lanka lost 0-2 against the Malaysian team, giving an advantage to Bangladesh to assure the semifinal berth with a draw.
With the day's victory, Bangladesh captain Mamunul Islam Mamun fulfilled his promise to guide the team to the semifinal. Earlier, Mamun made an announcement that he will quit captaincy if he failed to guide the team to the semis.
Bangladesh made two changes in their previous line-up recruiting goalkeeper Shahidul Alam in place of Rasel Mahmud while Nasiruddin Chowdhury replaced Atiqur Rahman Meshu.
In the last group B match on Tuesday, Bahrain will meet Thailand at 5 pm at the same venue.
In the day's vital match, Hemanta's success came after a couple of successive attempts.
In the 11th minute, Hemanta missed an opportunity from the danger zone as his weak shot from the right flank went out of play near the far post.
Just a minute later, Zahid Hassain spoiled another chance from the right flank also with a weak shot that was saved by Sri Lankan goalie Sujan Perera near the far post.
In the 16th minute, Hemanta again spoiled a chance from 25 yards.
Rayhan Hasan missed a chance in the 21st minute off a through-pass from the right flank, as his attempt from near the D box area sailed over the crosspiece.
In the 22nd minute, Hemanta's low volley from a Sohel Rana cross hit a Sri Lankan defender's leg.
In the 31st minute, medio Sohel Rana spoiled a golden opportunity off a Raihan Hasan long throw, but Rana's shot from near the D-box area went out just wide of the side post.
Bangladesh put more pressure from the beginning of the second half. In the 51st minute, Hemonta missed a clear chance from right flank. The ball was running in line of D-box, but Hemonta's weak shot was saved by opponent goalie.
In the 52nd minute, midfielder Zahid Hossain sent a ball to Hemanta who dribbled past a Lankan defender but shot straight to Lankan goalkeeper Sujan Perera.
Bangladesh goalkeeper Shahidul Alam did a brave job to save a penalty in the 68 minute.
Sri Lankan midfielder Roshan took the penalty shot and Shahidul guessed well to punch the ball away to the same player again. Roshan's second attempt at goal also headed to the goalie's grip.
In the 67th minute, referee Khamis Mohammed of Qatar awarded the penalty to Sri Lanka when Bangladesh goalie Shahidul Alam brought down Lankan forward Ishan.
BD reach dream semis beating Lanka 1-0
FE Team | Published: February 03, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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