Bangladesh made a frustrating start in the FIFA World Cup 2018 and AFC Asia Cup 2019 Qualifiers (Group B, Round-2) after conceding 1-3 goals defeat against lowly ranked Kyrgyzstan in their first match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here on Thursday.Kyrgyzstan scored all the four goals, including a suicidal one, in the first half. Forward Anton Zemlianuhin struck twice, another forward Edgar Bernhardt netted one and defender Valeri Kichin scored the suicidal goal.Physically and technically much superior, touring Kyrgyzstan team earned a deserving win displaying their brilliance outplaying Bangladesh in all the departments, except for few occasions. Bangladesh played a tactical game in the 2nd half for not to concede any more goals.Bangladesh started brightly creating pressure upon the visitors, but conceded the unfortunate first goal in the very 8th minute of the match by a very first free kick earned by Kyrgyzstan. Forward Anton Zemlyanuhin opened the Kyrgyzstan account by a curving free kick from about 30 yards making fool the Bangladesh custodian Rasel Mahmud with frustration of some 3,000 strong crowds in the big bowl (1-0). Bangladesh conceded the second in the 28th minute from a penalty (2-0). Defender Yamin Munna brought down onrushing Kyrgyz forward Viktor Maier in the danger zone and Edgar Bernhardt did no mistake to convert a spot kick (2-0).However, Bangladesh reduced the margin in the 31st minute when Kyrgyz defender Valeri Kichin headed ball to his own net while trying to clear corner of Bangladesh skipper Mamunul Islam from right wing (2-1).Anton Zemlyanuhin scored his 2nd and the 3rd goal for Kyrgyzstan in the 40th minute from top of the box after dodging past Bangladesh defender by a cracking left footer (3-1).Two minutes after the resumption, Mamunul Islam saw his free kick traveled over the crosspiece.In the 84th minute, Edgar Berhanndt’s fierce right footer from the top of the box was fisted to safety by Bangladesh goalie Russell Mahmud Liton.Bangladesh will play their next home match against Tajikistan on June 16 at the same time and same venue.In their previous two meetings, Bangladesh lost to Kyrgyzstan 0-2 in the Nehru Cup in 2007 and conceded a 0-3 defeat in the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008.In the current FIFA rankings, Bangladesh was placed 167 while Kyrgyzstan ranked 177.Yellow cards: Valery Kashuba (GK), Valeriy Kichin (Kyrgyzstan)Referee: Sukhbir Singh (Singapore)
