bffonline.com
Bangladesh got off to a sparkling start in the AFC Challenge Cup when the South Asian Games champions stunned mighty Tajikistan 2-1 in the opening match on Tuesday.
After a battling first half at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo, Enamul Haque -- who was discarded from the original list for the eight-nation meet -- put Bangladesh ahead in the 67th minute.
The celebration, however, did not last long as last year’s runners-up Tajikistan leveled the score three minutes later through Yousuf Rabiev but Atiqur Rahman Mishu sealed the victory in the 74th minute to brighten the chances of a semifinal spot from a group also involving Myanmar and hosts Sri Lanka.
It was a great result for Bangladesh who had lost four of their previous five matches against the Central Asians, who won the first edition of the Challenge Cup in Dhaka in 2006 including a massive 6-1 win against Bangladesh in the quarterfinals.
Bangladesh’s only draw against Tajikistan came in the pre-qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup when they held Tajikistan 1-1 at home before crashing 5-0 in the away leg.
One should also take into consideration the fact that Zoran Djordjevic, who guided Bangladesh to win the SA Games gold medal earlier this month, deserted the team in a cruel manner just before the team’s journey to Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh Football Federation coach Saiful Bari Titu was given charge two days before the trip and he began his first international in style as the Bangladeshi players pressed hard from the word go, surprising the Tajiks who had anticipated defensive strategy from the South Asians.
“The credit goes to the players. They pressed for possession whenever the opponents had the ball even when the ball remained in their area,” Titu told BFF online over phone after the match.
“They 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.
Emily came close in the early minutes but the Mohammedan striker, whose first effort was blocked by the rival keeper, chipped the ball back to his younger brother Shakil who nodded just over.
Emily then met a cross by Mamun but the striker’s header at the near post went off the mark as the first half ended goalless.
It was a brilliant move by right fullback Nasir that broke the deadlock after 67 minutes.
The overlapping defender raced past three rival players before testing the Tajik keeper and cut back the rebound for a lurking Enamul -- the Bangladesh League’s leading scorer for Abahani -- who drilled a low drive home.
Komol, who was the only inclusion in the starting line-up that began the SA Games final against Afghanistan -- replacing injured Yusuf who is not in the squad -- should have made it 2-0 two minutes later but lost control and allowing the Tajiks to go on a counter attack, setting up the equaliser for veteran Yousuf Rabiev whose close-range shot went in off Aminul’s hands.
Bangladesh, however, proved that they have rapidly improved in set-pieces when Mishu leapt at the near post to head Emily’s corner into the far post of the Tajikistan goalkeeper to make it 2-1.
Mamun wasted a chance to increase the margin inside the six-minute injury time as the winger shot straight to the lone keeper in a one-on-one situation.
“The Tajiks spoiled two chances but had we taken all our opportunities, we would have won big. 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,” told Titu when he was asked about his feelings. “I never felt any pressure when I was given the job. I always wanted to make sure that the team maintain the same performance from the SA Games,” said Titu while preparing to watch the next game of the day between Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh, who won all five matches in the SA Games without conceding a single goal, will take on Myanmar on Thursday.
Bangladesh: Aminul, Nasir, Mintu, Rezaul, Waly Faisal, Shakil (Nasiruddin), Mishu, Mamun, Komol (Sabuz), Enamul (Mithun) and Emily.