Bangladesh shrugged off their previous defeat to bounce back in the competition as they ensured their semifinal berth in style beating visiting Sri Lanka by a solitary goal in their second pool A match held on Monday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city. Bangladesh will now play against group B champions in the second semifinal schedule to be held on Friday (Feb. 6) at the same venue after the first semifinal between group A champions Malaysia and group runners-up team on Thursday (Feb. 5) at the Sylhet District Stadium.
The second group match has become a very important for Bangladesh to secure the last four berth after losing the first match against Malaysia. The boys in red and green dominated the entire proceeding of the match and notched their deserving victory while Sri Lanka was totally off-colored and hardly disturb the Bangladeshi defenders.
Earlier, Bangladesh launched several scoring chances in the first 30 minutes but failed to take lead due to lack of proper finishing.
The host got the first scoring chance in the 10th minute, but Sri Lankan custodian Sujan Perera hardly had to toil to handle the attempt taken by Striker Zahid Hasan Amely’s from the close range.
Bangladesh again deprived from taking lead in the 21st minute. This time Zahid Hossain’s powerfull from the vantage position sailed harmlessly over the cross piece.
The hosts launched a combined attacks taking advantage of Sri Lankan weak defence, but failed to score lack of proper finishing.
But, lady luck finally smile when Bangladesh took a deserving lead in the 40th minute. Midfielder Hemonto Vincent’s powerful right footer from top of the box directly found the net giving no chance to react Sri Lankan custodian Perera under the bar.
After the resumption, Bangladesh again launched several attacks but failed to increase the goal margin. The Sri Lankan defenders were seen to remain busy to defend Bangladesh attacks almost the entire proceeding.
Sri Lanka failed to restore the parity in the 67th minute when Bangladesh goalie Shahidul Alam brought down Lankan forward Ishan and referee Khamis Mohammed of Qatar pointed the favorite spot, but Lankan midfielder Roshan’s spot kick was saved by goalie Shahedul Islam.
The hosts had chance to double the lead but Hemanto Vincent Biswas’s low shot was cleared by defender Tharindu Eranga from the goalline in the 85th.
Referee – Khamis Mohammed SA Al-Marri (Qatar).
Today’s match: Thailand vs Bahrain at 5 pm at the same venue.
