UNB, Dhaka: Bangladesh got off to a flying start in the 4th Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football Tournament crushing Sri Lanka by 4-2 goals in the opener at the Shams-Ul-Huda Stadium in Jessore on Friday. Shakhawat Hossain Rony scored two goals for Bangladesh while Yeasin Khan and Nabib Newaj Zibon scored one each to seal the win for the hosts. Edison Figurado and Chaturanga Sanjeeva scored one goal apiece for Sri Lanka. Bangladesh dominated the first half by 3-1 goals. Forward Rony put Bangladesh ahead in the 17th minute by a nice placing shot off a calculative cross from Zahid Hossain from the right flank, 1-0. Edison Figurado leveled the margin for Sri Lanka in the 21st minute converting a penalty kick correctly, 1-1. Nasir Uddin Chowdhury made a foul with Dananju Madushan De Silva in the danger zone and the referee awarded a penalty to Sri Lanka. Yeasin Khan took the lead for Bangladesh just after one minute by a header utilising a curled corner kick pass of captain Mamunul Islam Mamun, 2-1. Nabib Newaj Zibon extended the lead for Bangladesh in the 44th minute scoring the third goal utilising a free kick pass of Zahid Hossain from the top of the D-box, 3-1. Chalana Chamera of Sri Lankan made a handball in the danger zone to award a free kick to Bangladesh and Zahid took the shot and Zibon flicked the ball into the net deceiving goalie. Chaturanga Sanjeeva reduced the margin for Sri Lanka in the 51st minute receiving a miss pass from Bangladesh midfielder Jamal Bhuiyan, 3-2. Shakhawat Hossain Rony scored his second and team’s 4th goal in the 86th minute, 4-2. Rony went past the Lankan defence and blast the ball home from close range deceiving onrushing goalkeeper. In the remaining Group-A matches, Bangladesh national team will play against defending champions Malaysia on Tuesday (January 12) and face Nepal on Thursday (January 14), both at 6:30 pm at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.
