'We deserved this victory'

After nearly two years of incessant talk about that infamous defeat against Bhutan in 2016, the boys in red and green could not be any happier after vanquishing their unlikely tormentors.

The players were eagerly waiting to prove that the 1-3 defeat to Bhutan in the Himalayan nation's home ground in Thimphu was an upset, and Bangladesh did it in style with a 2-0 win in their opening match of the SAFF Championship at their own fortress yesterday.

English coach Jamie Day was instrumental in building a balanced side that looked determined on the field and successfully carried out the game plan.

“I am extremely pleased to win the game. The boys played very well. I think we deserved to win tonight, though it was tough,” said Day at the post-match briefing.

Defender Tapu Barman put Bangladesh ahead in the first half before Mahbubur Rahman Sufil ensured the win with a brilliant strike in the second half.

“Sufil got behind the ball in a good position and scored a good goal. We needed the early lead and we got two,” said Day, who chose goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel instead of Ashraful Islam Rana, the keeper in the Asian Games.

“Sohel has a big physique that kept him ahead of Rana and Sohel kept a clean sheet and helped secure the maximum three points. We don't need to look for lapses in our defence, but only positives,” added Day.

Day however did not want to make any comment on that infamous defeat against Bhutan. “Let's talk about the positives.”

Midfielder Masuk Mia Jonny was ecstatic while celebrating a win after a long gap.

“It feels good to win after a while, so we are really happy with this victory,” said Jonny. “There was no pressure on us as the coach instructed us to play easy rather than taking any pressure.”