Maldives confirmed the semifinal berth as Group-B champions while Bahrain as group runners-up in the fourth Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football Tournament playing a 1-1 draw in their last group match at the Bangabandu National Stadium (BNS) here on Saturday.
In the semifinals of the prestigious eight-team football tournament, Group-A champions Bangladesh National team will play Group-B runners-up Bahrain in the first semifinal at BNS on Monday while Group-B champions the Maldives to face Group-A runners-up Nepal in the second semifinal at the same venue on Tuesday.
In the day’s match, the Maldives dominated the first half by 1-0 golas.
Forward Imaaz Ahmed put the Maldives ahead in the 19th minutes by a placing shot from the top of the six-yard box off a low cross of forward Ibrahim Ansar, 1-0.
Bahrain forward Anwar Ali restored the parity in the 58th minute by a tricky header from the top of the six-yard box deceiving goalie off a cross of midfielder Mohammed Alinar from left flank,1-1.
In the 57th minute the Maldives had an opportunity to score as their captain Ali Ashad’s powerful right footer shot from the top of the box went out edging the left post.
The Maldives could score in the 42nd minute. Mohammad Hamza carried the ball to take the shot from right side of the six-yard box, but his shot cleared by opponent defender.
Bahrian came close to score in the 11th minute. Midfielder Mohammed Alinar’s took a powerful free kick from about 25 yards, the Maldives goalie Faisal Mohammed fisted the ball to save his side for a corner.
With the day’s result, the Maldives earned seven points from three matches with two wins and one draw while Bahrain collected five points from as many matches with one win and two draws.
The Maldives team: Ali Samooh, Abdulla Ahmed, Imaaz Ahmed, Easa Ismail, Ali Ashahd, Fasir Ali, Mohammad Hamza, Muruthala Adnan, Ibrahim Ansar, Mohamad Saaif and Faisal Mohammad.
Bahrain team: Ali Husain Ali, Ablaziz Shellal, Mohamed Alnaar, Anwar Ali, Ebrahim Alhooti, Abdulaziz Alshaikh (Salem Adel), Saeed Mubarak (Abdulaziz Obaid), Yusuf Alkatteb, Obad Alghunaimi, Abdulrahman Abdullah and Salman Abdulla.
