Chhetri breaks Bangladesh’s resistance
India edged Bangladesh 1-0 in their Asian Games fixture at the Xiaoshan Sports Center Stadium in China yesterday, courtesy of an 85-minute penalty conversion by prolific striker Sunil Chhetri.
Bangladesh Olympic team will play their last match against group-toppers China, while India and Myanmar square off, but two defeats in succession has all but thrown the men in red and green out of the competition.
Javier Cabrera's team, though, still have a slim chance of qualifying for the round of 16 as four third-place teams from six groups can advance as well.
India, on the other hand, were lucky to leave the field with a desperate win -- their fourth against Bangladesh in Asiad -- after having suffered a heavy defeat against China.
It was Bangladesh, boosted by the presence of eight national players, who comparably created better chances. But like it happened against Myanmar, Bangladesh forwards squandered several good chances while Rahmat Mia's committed the grave error with a foul inside the box.
"It's true that we missed five to six chances against Myanmar... but against India it was less. Honestly If we could do it [convert chances], we could have won the game," Bangladesh coach said.
Tigresses face Hong Kong
Medal-aspirants Bangladesh's women's cricket team will begin their campaign today when they take on Hong Kong in a quarterfinals fixture at the Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field. The match will get underway at 12pm (Bangladesh time).
Bangladesh, who grabbed consecutive silver medals in 2010 and 2014, are eager to start on the right foot against Hong Kong.
The Tigresses "have been in good shape," as far as captain Nigar Sultana Joty is concerned. "We have prepared for one month in Sylhet for the Asian Games, played a few practice matches and also prepared ourselves here for two days. I think the team are focused on performing well," she said.
Meanwhile, both Pakistan and India moved into the semifinals after their quarterfinals matches were abandoned due to the rain.
Women booters up against mighty Japan
Bangladesh women's football team will make their Asian Games debut today, and that too against former world champions Japan at the Wenzhou Olympic Sports Center at 5:30 pm (Bangladesh time).
"We are playing the Asian Games for the first time and against a strong Japan. I want to have the blessing from the countrymen, so that we perform well against Japan," said captain Sabina Khatun.
Coach Saiful Bari Titu pointed out the gulf of difference between two sides and said the match will provide a learning platform for the reigning SAFF champions.
"I have instructed the girls to not think about the outcome of the match," he said.