UNB, Dhaka: A last minute goal by Faizat enabled Malaysia Under-23 team to clinch the six-nation Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football title shocking hosts Bangladesh by 3-2 goals in a nail-biting final at the crowd-packed floodlit Bangabandhu National Stadium here on Sunday. Country’s sports loving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina witnessed the day’s crucial final for sometime and later distributed the glittering trophy to Malaysia on Sunday evening. This is the 2nd Bangabandhu Gold Cup title for Malaysia after clinching the maiden title in 1996 at the same venue. In the day’s tense-packed final, Bangladesh were down by 0-2 goals in the first half, but the home side smartly returned to the match after scoring two quick goals within first ten minutes of the 2nd half amid huge cheers from nearly 35,000 crowd at the big bowl. Skipper Nazirul, forward Kumaahran and striker Faizat scored for Malaysia while striker Zahid Hasan Emily and defender Yeasin Khan scored one goal each for Bangladesh. In the day’s final, Malasiyan defender cum captain Nazirul Naim put his side ahead in the 31st minute by a power-packed free kick from about 35 yards that kissed the Bangladesh net eluding Bangladesh custodian Shahidul Alam Sohel (1-0) Malaysia got the free kick as a Bangladesh defender fouled onrushing forward Kumaahran outside the D-box and Nazirul spectacular free kick straight entered the net amid the frustration of soccer crazy local fans. Kumaahran doubled the Malaysian lead in the 40th minute by an angular placing shot beating two opponent defenders (2-0). Kumaahran carried the ball from midfield and dodged past two Bangladeshi defenders in the danger zone before placing the ball in the net through left side to dominate the first half 2-0. Bangladesh forward Zahid Hasan Emily reduced the margin in the 48th minute by a flick off a Nasir Hossain header from the goalmouth melee, following a long throw-in of Rayhan from right flank (2-1). Defender Yeasin Khan leveled the margin in the 51st minute amid thunderous applause from the home crowd with a spectacular header off Mamunul Islam’s corner from right flank (2-2). Malaysian forward Muhamad Faizat, who was adjudged man of the final, sealed the fate of the match by a header from goalmouth melee, off a corner kick off Muhammad Syazwan from right flank in 92nd minute silencing the home fans (3-2). In the 8th minute, Malaysian goalie Mohd Farhan saved his side as he gripped a Bangladesh forward’s close header off a Rayhan Hasan throw-in from right side. Denmark-born Bangladesh midfielder Jamal Bhuiyan was adjudged player of the tournament. Apart from the Prime Minster, Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Prime Minister’s advisor for ICT Affairs Sajib Wajed Joy, Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Arif Khan Joy, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on Youth and Sports Ministry Zahid Ahsan Russell, Bangladesh Football Federation President Kazi M Salahuddin and Hamim Group chairman AK Azad were also present at the closing function. Yellow cards: Mamunul Islam Mamun. Malaysia: Mohd Farhan, Muhammad Ariff Farhan, Mohammad Amirul Hisyam, Adam Nor, Muhammad Syazwan, Kumaahran (Mohammad Ridzuan), Azrul Nizam, Mohammad Syawal, Mohammad Faizat, Nazirul Naim, and Annas. Bangladesh Team: Shahidul Alam Sohel, Rayhan Hasan, Yeasin Khan, Mohammad Nasir Uddin, Jamal Bhuiyan, Zahid Hossain (Abdul Baten (Majumder), Mamunul Islam Mamun, Zahid Hasan Emily, Monaem Khan Raju, Sohel Rana and Yeamin Ahmed.
