Booters stun Tajikistan

Bangladesh's Atiqur Rahman Mishu (R) goes airborne as he heads in the winning goal against Tajikistan during their the AFC Challenge Cup finals match at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday. PHOTO: COURTESY

The Bangla desh national football team have found precious little to celebrate in their 38-year football history, especially with regards to beating recognized forces in Asia. But one such moment arrived yesterday when they handed a 2-1 defeat to former champions Tajikistan in the opener of the AFC Challenge Cup finals at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Sri Lanka yesterday.
Striker Enamul Haque, who was dropped from the squad by departed coach Zoran Djordjevic, put Bangladesh ahead in the 68th minute before Yusuf Rabiev levelled the margin for Tajikistan two minutes later.
Defender Atiqur Rahman Mishu struck the match winner in the 79th minute against a side ranked 148th in the world (and not 165th, as mentioned in yesterday's preview), to send the football fraternity home into raptures. The last triumph of a similar magnitude for Bangladesh was against Chinese Taipei, who they beat 2-1 in 1997 in the World Cup Qualifying round.
Besides, Bangladesh had also some good moments of celebration against Philippines (3-2) in 1984 and Thailand (3-1) in 1989 and both victories came during the World Cup qualifying round.
The boys of Bangladesh started from where they left in the just concluded South Asian Games last week and their never-to-die attitude not only gave Bangladesh a first-ever victory against Tajikistan, but also offered them an advantage on way to the semifinals before facing Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
Coach Saiful Bari had earlier hinted that he might adopt a defensive strategy and counter-attack against the Tajiks, who are comparatively skilled and physically more imposing than Bangladesh. But the boys stunned Tajikistan, a state of the former Soviet Union after a heavy downpour drenched the playing surface just prior to kick-off.
Tajikistan dominated the opening exchanges before Bangladesh's striker Zahid Hasan Emily was halted by a tight offside flag after 17 minutes following Mamun's perfectly weighted pass, according to the official website of the Asian Football Confederation.
A last ditch tackle from Bangladesh defender Rezaul Karim halted Regar-TadAZ striker Davronjon Tukhta sunov firing in the first shot in anger as the persistent rain began to ease.
Bangladesh, though, should have opened the scoring after 24 minutes when Mohammedan striker Emily surged into the area and after being forced wide by goalkeeper Alisher Tuychiev, sent a chipped cross back across the face of goal but Shakil Ahmed could only head wide with the goal at his mercy.
After the barren first half, Bangladesh dominated possession from the beginning of the second half, Mamun sent a hooked effort wide when meeting Abdul Baten's deep back post cross 13 minutes after the break while at the other end, Tukhtasunov saw his low goalbound shot from the edge of the area beaten away by Aminul.
Bangladesh finally got the dividend eight minutes after the hour mark as Abahani striker Enamul followed up after Nasir's shot was saved by Tuychiev to rifle home from a tight angle.
But the lead was short lived as Tajikistan found an instant response two minutes later when Rabiev took advantage of Bangladesh's inability to clear the danger on the edge of the penalty area to fire under Aminul.
However, just four minutes later, Bangladesh regained the lead when Abahani defender Mishu sent a flicked front post header from Emily's delivery across the face of goal and past the outstretched arm of Tuychiev.
Tajikistan were reduced to 10 men with 11 minutes remaining as Farrukh Choriev was shown a straight red card following a hard challenge on Bangladesh substitute striker Touhidul Alam Sabuz.
“The credit must go to the players. They pressed for possession whenever the opponents had the ball even when the ball remained in their area,” Titu was quoted as saying by bffonline.
“They (Tajikistan) never expected such a pressing game from us and were taken by surprise. We never allowed them to utilise their long-ball strategy, closing the space every time they got the ball. They had no answer for that,” added the former national midfielder.
“The Tajiks spoiled two chances. We could have won by a bigger margin had we not squandered some opportunities. It's a deserving victory. The team remained compact all the time as the Tajiks, despite having better skill than us, were overpowered,” added Titu.
“I just helped the players play the way they should play,” said Titu. "I never felt any pressure when I was given the job. I always wanted to make sure that the team maintains the same performance from the SA Games.”
Squad: Aminul, Nasir, Mintu, Rezaul, Waly Faisal, Shakil (Nasiruddin), Mishu, Mamun, Komol (Sabuz), Enamul (Mithun) and Emily.