Palestine advance to final beating Bangladesh

COX'S BAZAR, Oct 10 (UNB): Favourite Palestine stormed into the final of the six-nation 5th Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football Tournament, reports UNB.

They beat hosts Bangladesh by 2-0 goals in a hard fought 2nd semifinal at the rain-soaked Birshrestha Ruhul Amin Stadium in the tourist town here on Wednesday.

They will play final on October 12 against Tajikistan.

Mohammed Balah and Sameh Maraabe scored for the Palestine one in each half.

Although, Bangladesh (FIFA ranking 193) lost the match by 0-2 goals, but they fought equally with their giant Arabian rival Palestine (FIFA ranking 100) till the final whistle.

Unmarked Mohammed Balah scored the first goal for Palestine in the 8th minute of the match by an accurate angular header, utilising a readymade cross of his teammate (1-0).

After conceding the goal, Bangladesh took control of the match and made a series of attempt one after another in the 19th, 22nd and 33rd minutes, but failed to materialised any due to shakiness of their forwards Nabib Newaj Zibon and Biplo Ahmed.