Down but not out
Bangladesh conceded a 2-0 defeat to Indo-nesia to end their group matches of the 3rd Grand Royal Challenge Cup in Yangon yesterday but were still in contention for a semifinal spot.
Bangladesh, who drew 0-0 with hosts Myanmar on Tuesday to claim one point, will have to wait for the result of tomorrow's final Group A match between Indonesia and the home side.
Bangladesh will qualify for the last four if Indonesia beat the hosts by a three-goal margin.
The second game of the group at the Thuwanna Youth Training Centre Stadium began in tremendous pace although it was a very hot day.
After a long range effort by the Red and Whites, who recorded their fourth victory against Bangladesh in seven internationals, went over the bar, Bangladesh keeper Aminul had to make twin saves in the third minute to inspire Shafiqul Islam Manik's side to go on the offensive.
Bangladesh turned up with attacking midfielder Zahid Hossain, playing as the rightback for injured Ariful in a 5-3-2 formation, who created a move for strikers Alfaz and Emily to unsettle the rival defence in the sixth minute. Emily finally picked up Zahid who shot wide.
Two minutes later, Nazrul sent a long ball from their own half for Emily whose cross ran harmlessly across the goal.
Bangladesh kept the momentum and Emily, after getting the ball following hard work by Arman Aziz and Alfaz, failed to keep his shot under the bar in the ninth minute.
Indonesia then snatched the initiative and went ahead in the 11th minute when man of the match Firman Utina scored from a rebound after Aminul had made a fine save.
Indonesia enjoyed superior possession but Alfaz, playing his first match for the national team after more than a year, wasted a chance in the 37th minute.
Alfaz was in the thick of things three minutes later but his effort was blocked by a defensive wall that inspired a counter attack for Taolahu Abdul Musafry to seal the victory.
Manik replaced leftback Waly Faisal with Mishu at the break, which saw a more attacking Bangladesh. Zahid and Mishu both threw their weights at the flanks creating gaps, but did not find the right man in the right time behind the crosses.
Robin replaced Alfaz and Zahed Parvez came in for captain Matiur Munna but Bangladesh failed to reduce the arrears. They rather survived two late chances, with inform Aminul parrying opposition efforts in the 68 and 83 minutes.
"We did not play well in the second half as Bangladesh attacked many times. If we play like this, it would be very difficult for us to win against Myanmar," Indonesian coach Benny Dolo said after the match.
"The fixture is very short and matches are very close, which is very difficult for our players," he added.
"Indonesia had seen our match against Myanmar and planned accordingly. But we couldn't see them before today. My players tried their level best to score but finally failed," said Bangladesh coach Manik.
"The fixture is also not in favour of Bangladesh we came to Myanmar after a 12-hour journey and got little time to rest, which made them really tired," told Manik.
Bangladesh team: Aminul, Zahid, Sujan, Rajani, Waly (Mishu 46), Arman Aziz, Sharif, Matiur Munna (Zahed Parvez 81), Emily and Alfaz (Robin 65).
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