Bahrain kept their semifinal hope alive beating Cambodia by a solitary goal in their Group-B second match of the fourth Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football Tournament at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) here on Thursday.
Bahrain captain Abdulaziz Alshaikh scored the match winning goal in the 11th minute by a header. Abdulaziz Alshaikh who was adjudged man of the match, headed the ball from the middle of the box off a corner pass of midfielder Jasim Alshaikh from the right flank,1-0.
Cambodian could level the margin in the 57th minute as their substitute forward Vandeth Son took a shot from the left side of the six-yard box, but his left footer shot went out edging the right post.
Bahrain spoiled an opportunity to double the lead in the 51st minute. Forward Abdulaziz ran past the Cambodian defense and delivered a cut back to unmarked midfielder Ebrahim Almalood, coming from behind defender Pheng Hong’s timely interference to clear the ball from danger zone saved the Cambodian.
Cambodia came close to score in the fourth minute. Forward Dina Tit took a shot from left flank off a cross of midfielder Polroth Chreng which was saved by goalkeeper Mahbood Aldoseri diving on the right moment.
Bahrain will play their last group match against the Maldives on Saturday (January 16) while Cambodia to face Bangladesh Olympic team on the same day, both will be held at BNS.
Earlier, on Sunday (January 10), Bahrain played 1-1 against Bangladesh Olympic team at the Shams-Ul-Huda Stadium in Jessore while Cambodia started their tournament campaign with a 2-3 loss against the Maldives at the same venue on Monday (Januery 11).
Referee: Jalal Uddin (Bangladesh).
Bahrain team: Ali Husain Ali (Salem Abbas), Ablaziz Shellal, Mohamed Alnaar, Abdulaziz Obaid (Ebrahim Alhooti), Jasim Al Shaikh (Obad Alghunaimi), Ebrahim Al Malood (), Abdulaziz Alshaikh, Saeed Mubarak, Mahboob Aldoseri, Abdulrahman Abdullah and Salman Abdulla.
Cambodia team: Seri Rath Um, Pheng Hong, Visal Soeuy, Chanrasmey Sok, Polroth Chreng (Vandeth Son), Laboravy Khuon (Sothearoth Nen), Tola Nub, Pidor Sam Oemu, Dina Tit, Phallin Hoy (Meng Chheng) and Chhoeum Chhin.
