Agency :
Bangladesh defeated Maldives 2-1 in their second match of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksha Trophy 4-Nations International Football Tournament at Race Course Ground in Colombo on Saturday.
Bangladesh took the lead in the 12th minute through a goal by captain Jamal Bhuiyan. Maldives got the equalizer in the 33rd minute.
Bangladesh were awarded a penalty in the 88th minute and Topu Barman didn’t miss the opportunity to score the winner.
The first half of the match was 1-1.
After the break, coach Mario Lemos brought on Faisal Ahmed Fahim and Jewel Rana. Both of them created opportunities for goals. Faisal got the ball inside the box in the 60th minute but could not take the shot. After a while, Fahim’s shot from Rahmat Mia’s throw went outside the post. However, in the 87th minute, the Maldives goalkeeper tackled Jewel Rana in the d-box which gifted Bangladesh the crucial penalty. Topu Barman came to take the shot and he hit it right in the upper-left corner to bring Bangladesh the long-cherished victory and a crucial three points.
In the 1st match, Bangladesh draw against Seychelles.
Bangladesh last defeated the Maldives in a tiebreaker in the final of SAFF Championship in Dhaka in 2003.
This is Bangladesh’s first win against Maldives after 18 years. Bangladesh, who started the campaign with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Seychelles three days ago.
Bangladesh are now at the top of the table with 4 points from 1 draw and 1 win in two matches. They will play their last round robin league match against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. The top two teams will sail into the final on November 19.
