Disappointing draw in Delhi

Bangladesh's quest for Saff (South Asian Football Federation) Championship glory got off to a stuttering start as they played out a goalless draw in their opening match against Pakistan at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium yesterday.
The result leaves Bangladesh with two difficult ties against Nepal and Maldives to negotiate before they can even get out of the group, much less dream of the title.
Coach Nikola Ilievski was bold, choosing outright to go with three debutants in the playing eleven as Bangladesh went for the jugular inside an almost deserted stadium. The Macedonian's choice was largely vindicated as both midfielder Shahedul Alam and goalkeeper Sahidul Alam put in stirring displays. Winger Alamgir Anik was however the odd one out, as the right winger struggled before being substituted at half-time.
It was a largely even encounter although it was perhaps Pakistan who shaded the game on chances, the first of which fell to their UK-based midfielder Adnan Farooq whose dipping effort was brilliantly parried by Sahidul.
Bangladesh grew into the game, largely thanks to crisp interplay in midfield from Shahed, Mamunul and Pranotosh, but Pakistan's defensive line held up stolidly even as their attackers found joy with sporadic forays, one of which saw winger Jadeed Khan miscue an effort from a low cross miserably wide.
Towards the end of the half, the Bangladeshi pressure finally bore some fruit.
First Abdul Baten Komol's piercing run and cross from the left byline was unlucky to miss everyone and then as the half drew to a close, Shahed's corner created havoc in the Pakistan box. Defender Ariful headed his delivery straight onto the bar and the rebound caused a goalmouth melee that Zahid Hasan Emily failed to put past an inspired Jaffar in three attempts.
Ilievski rang the changes, with Mithun Chowdhury and Atiqur Rahman Meshu both joining the fray in the second half.
Bangladesh struggled to impose themselves but striker Mithun almost gave them the much-needed breakthrough with an effort that looked destined to be a goal until Jaffar performed his heroics once again.
In a game where the goalkeepers increasingly grew into the sole highlights, Bangladesh custodian Sahidul also made a fine save in injury time to maintain the scoreline and ensure that Bangladesh extend their unbeaten run over Pakistan to eight-games.
TEAMS
Bangladesh: Shahidul Alam Sohel (GK), Nasirul Islam, Mohammad Sujan, Ariful Islam, Rezaul Karim, Pranotosh Kumar, Shahedul Alam Shahed (Emon Mohammad), Mamunul Islam, Abdul Baten Komol, Shah Alamgir Anik (Mithun) and Zahid Hasan Emily (Meshu)
Pakistan: Jaffar Khan, Rizwan Asif, Muhammed Ahmed, Faisal Iqbal, Saddam Hussain (Hasnain Abbas), Kaleem Ullah, Samar Ishaq, Atif Bashir (Manzaoor Ahmed), Adnan Farooq, Jadeed Khan (Shakir Lashari) and Kamran Khan.