Booters go from bad to worse
Bangladesh's footballers continued their dismal form as the defending champions came from behind to play out a 1-1 draw against Bhutan in the men's football event of the South Asian Games at the Sports Authority of India ground in Guwahati yesterday.
Meanwhile, it was a much happier day for Bangladesh's women footballers who defeated Maldives in their penultimate group match in Shillong. The women dominated the match, but after playing out a goalless first half they struck a goal in the 46th minute when Marziz availed a minus from striker Krishna, before Sabina made full use of a pass from Maynu to make it 2-0 in the 73rd minute.
In the men's match, Nabib Newaj Jibon cancelled out a 19th-minute strike from Jigme Tshering Dorjee one minute from the break to keep Bangladesh's hopes alive to qualify for the semifinal as they need another draw against leaders Nepal tomorrow. Even if Bangladesh lose to Nepal by less than a 5-0 margin, they will move into the last four , courtesy of having conceded fewer goals than Bhutan.
Ganzalo Sanchez Moreno's charges dominated throughout the game and created good scoring chances but Bangladesh lacked the cutting edge up front. Jibon scored the equaliser but squandered two easy chances to provide the holders a winning start.
It was not only Jibon who missed chances; Hemanta Vincent Biswas seemed to lack power as he often slipped and fell and spoiled some good initiatives, while other players -- except Jamal Bhuiyan, Rezaul Karim and Atiqur Rahman Fahad -- seemed to lack confidence.
Bangladesh, comprising eight current national players, seemed to have shrugged off their poor performances in the SAFF Championship and Bangabandhu Gold Cup when they got off to a fine start with crisp passing, and long throw-ins from both wings by left-back Raihan Hasan and right-back Tapu Barman caused havoc in the Bhutan backline.
Bhutan took the lead against the run of play when Gyeltshen nicely received a free-kick inside the box and square it to Dorjee, who tapped in.
Bangladesh came close to equalising but Yeasin could not keep a well-measured corner from Hemanta on target at the half-hour mark before Jibon headed a Bhuiyan corner home a minute before half-time.
After resumption, Jibon and substitute Rubel squandered two more opportunities after selfish attempts. Bangladesh were lucky not to concede the decider in the dying moments, when Raihan made a goalline save.
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