Bangladesh gets Lebanon Ticket
Dhaka, July 3: Bangladesh qualified for the 2nd round of the World Cup pre-qualifier with a goalless draw against Pakistan in the 2nd leg of the World Cup pre-qualifier at the Punjab stadium, Lahore on Sunday. With the draw Bangladesh won on 3-0 aggregate.
Pakistan forwards Arif Mehmood and Hussain Abbas along with midfielder Atif Bashir mounted considerable pressure upon Bangladesh defence but the defence dealt the onslaught with a cool headed approach.
Bangladesh played with a cautious 4-4-1-1 formation with Pakistan took the traditional 4-4-2 After the breather Adnan Ahmed's 25 yard blast just went inches wide of Biplob’s near post.
In the 52nd Biplob fumbled to fist a Mohammed Rasool looping shot but defender Ariful was right there to clear the ball to safety.
Substitute midfielder Abdul Baten Majumder Komol wasted Bangladesh easiest chance in the 72nd minute when Zahid’s cross from the right flank found him unmarked in the box but Komol lost the control.
In the dying minutes Mithun squandered another chance after Mamunul Islam paved the way for him with through from the midfield but Mithun shot straight from an acute angle.
Bangladesh play Lebanon on July 23rd and 28 at Beirut and Dhaka respectively.
Bangladesh coach Nikola Ilievski brought two changes in the playing eleven.Ilievski opted for defender Mamun Miah resting Atikur Rahman Mishu and inserted Mithun in the place of midfielder Zahid in the first eleven.
Bangladesh: Biplob, Mamun Miah (Mishu), Rezaul, Arif, Nasir, Mamunul, Shakil (Zahid), Raju (Komol), Linkon, Emily, Mithun.