Bangladesh make flying start
Dhaka, October 25: Bangladesh got off a flying start with a 3-0 win over Maldives in the group A of the AFC U-19 Qualifiers at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday.
Bangladesh dominated the scenario from the very outset and took the lead through forward Masud Rana in the 11th minute. Taking a through pass of Wahed, Masud Rana sped past his marker and put the ball into the far post net.
The lead was doubled in the 22nd minute and it was Masud Rana again. The agile forward toe-pocked a Sifat cross that was curved from the left flank past Maldives goalie Abdulla Fayaz.
Substitute forward Abdul Malek made it 3-0 in the 70th minute with a opportunistic strike. Topu Barman cut a low cross from the right flank and Masud Rana tried to flick it past Fayaz who managed to save it with a dive but the rebound fell into the feet of Malek who finished the job with a cool headed placing from a close range.
Maldives midfielder Faarish hit the crosspiece from 20 yards out in the 78th minute.
Bangladesh- Rasel, Yeasin, Topu, Sohel, Rubel(Shahed), Masud Rana, Sifat( Anik), Rasel, Wahed (Malek), Rakin.
Maldives-Abdulla Fayaz, Arim (Haidhar), Ihsan, Wahid Ibrahim, Hamidhaan, Faarish, Juhain, Mohammed, Hasan Mohammed , Guraish.
Referee- Win Cho