Teammates converge to congratulate Zahid Hossain (jersey number 19) after he scored a stunning goal in Bangladesh's 1-0 win against Maldives in the South Asian Games at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. Photo: Amran Hossain

A sublime solo effort from midfielder Zahid Hossain gave Bangladesh a 1-0 victory over Maldives and helped them emerge as group champions in the South Asian Games football at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. With three victories in their three matches, Bangladesh will play their semifinal against group B runners up India on Friday. Maldives will face group B champions Afghanistan on the same day.
Both teams having already confirmed their semifinal place, gave their senior and more experienced players a welcome break and fielded a youthful and relatively inexperienced sides. Bangladesh rested seven players from their last game including skipper Aminul Haque and striking duo Enamul Haque and Zahid Hassan Ameli. Maldives too rested some of their key players including Ashfaq Ali, Nasser Mukhtar and Umair Mohammad.
Zahid Hossain who missed the SAFF Championship in December due to injury was included in the side for the first time in the competition. The young winger grabbed the opportunity with both hands and produced a moment of brilliance to make the difference in the game. Just before the breather, receiving the ball from the midfield he danced past two defenders towards the box from the left, shimmied past another before releasing a cheeky chip over the keeper's head on the far post. It was a moment to behold as the crowd leapt to their feet in adulation of being witness to some magic.
An ecstatic Zahid Hossain was overwhelmed with emotions scoring a wonderful goal after a long layoff, "I am delighted with the part I played in the match having been out of the field for the last three months. I play for the team, and I am glad that I scored the winning goal for my team today (Wednesday)".
The game had a vibrant touch about it from the very beginning. The exuberance of youth was evident throughout the match as both teams played an attacking brand of football fearless of the outcome. With the home crowd behind them, Bangladesh created more opportunities and in the end won the match as the better side.
After 12 minutes into the first half, Mishu floated a corner into the goal mouth which the keeper saved only for midfielder Imtiaz Sultan, liveliest player on the field, to fire a grounder that just eluded the upright.
Meshu, playing as a midfielder instead of his regular role of right back, provided a brilliant corner that was headed by Rezaul Karim which forced Maldives defender Nafiu Ali to make a goalline save.
As the half drew to an end, Maldives started to organize themselves in midfield and threatened Bangladesh with a couple of promising attacks. Maldives could have taken the lead had Fuhaid Mohamed not missed a free header with the goal at his mercy.
It was looking as if the teams would go into the break goalless but then Zahid scored after his moment of magic to give Bangladesh a deserved lead.
Bangladesh created few chances after the break, but could not convert as their striking duo of Mithun and Shabuj failed to make them materialise.
Earlier in the day Nepal got a consolation 2-0 victory over Bhutan in an inconsequential match. Nepal skipper Anil Gurung scored both the goals on either side of the break.
TEAMS
Bangladesh: Mazharul Islam, Wali Faisal, Mintu Sheikh, Rezaul Karim, Atiqur Rahman Meshu, Mamun Miah, Tawhidul Alam Sabuz, Imtiaz Sultan Jitu, Abul Baten Mojumdar Komol, Zahid Hossain, Mithun Chowdhury
Maldives: Latheed Hussain, Abdulla Ibrahim, Thasneem Mohamed, Easa Ismail, Nafiu Ali, Abdul Ghani Akram, Nazmeen Ahmed, Athif Ahmed, Fuhaid Mohamed, Fasir Ali, Adhuham Hasan