UNB, Sylhet :
Malaysian Under-23 side is the first team to reach semi-final of the six-nation Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football Tournament with all-win record beating Sri Lanka by 2-0 goals in their 2nd and last Group A match at the Sylhet District Stadium here on Saturday.
Malaysia, which started the BB Gold Cup campaign with 1-0 victory over hosts Bangladesh in the tournament’s opener last Thursday, will play the first semifinal on Thursday (February 5) at the same venue (Sylhet District Stadium) against the Group B runners-up, yet to be finalized.
With the day’s outcome, Bangladesh needs a draw against Sri Lanka in their last Group on Monday (Feb 2) at the Bangabadhu National Stadium to assure the semifinal berth.
In the day’s match, midfielders Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim and Mohammad Ridzuan Abdunloh scored for the Youthful Malaysia team, one in each half.
Syahrul Azwari put Malaysia ahead in the injury time of the first half (45+2) from a penalty (1-0). Malaysia awarded the spot kick when Sri Lankan forward Subash Maduashan handled the ball deliberately in the danger zone and Azwari did no mistake to convert a penalty in the left side of the custodian.
Ridzuan Abdunloh confirmed the Malaysian victory scoring the second goal in the 60th minute by a cool shot from goalmouth melee, off a corner kick of Muhammad Syazwan, came his way by a Mohamad Syawal header (2-0)
Adam Nor Azlin of Malaysia was adjudged the best player of the match.
Sri Lanka was denied by the woodwork in the 41st minute of the match as a free kick of Nalaka Rowshan hit the crosspiece.
Malaysian earned a deserving victory playing a better game than that of the islanders.
Today’s match: Bahrain vs Singapore at 5 pm at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.
