Bangladesh draw with Pakistan
Dhaka, December 2: Bangladesh drew goalless against Pakistan in the opening match of the SAFF Championship at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi on Friday
Pakistan had a bright start as forward Atif Bashir’s drive from the top of the box touched Bangladesh custodian Shahidul Alam Sohel’s finger and hit the crosspiece in the 2nd minute.
Bangladesh remained at the receiving end and Bangladesh was fortunate in the 24th as Jadeed Khan Pathan’s low cross beat Sohel but Faisal Iqbal placed the ball well over the open net.
Jadeed Khan broke free in the 39th minute and curved a cross for Saddam Hosaain whose looping shot landed on the roof of the net.
Bangladesh regained the confidence and started to hit back in the finishing stage of the first half with Pranotosh unleashing a 20 yarder that bounced out of Paksiatn goalie Jaffer Khan’s gloves in the 43rd minute.
The crosspiece denied Bangladesh in the injury time of the first half as defender Ariful Islam’s head off a Shahedul Alam Shahed corner rocked the crosspiece and Emily failed to tap the ball in from the goalmouth melee.
The second half saw Bangladesh post some authority with Atikur Rahman Mishu and Mithun Chowdhury coming in the places of Emiley and Shah Alamgir Anik.
In the 70th minute Jadeed placed the ball over the head of Sohel but Reza cleared the ball to safety.
Jaffer Khan’s brilliant save in the 75th minute denied Bangladesh a goal as he dived full swing to punch out Mithun Chowdhury’s shot off a Mishu cut back.
Substitute Pakistan forward Lashari blasted the ball over from the middle of the box after Sohel blocked a Hasnain Abbas cracker in the stoppage time.
Bangladesh meet Nepal in the second match on Sunday.
Bangladesh: Sahidul Alam, Nasirul Islam Nasir, Sujan, Mamunul Islam, Ariful islam. Razaul Karim, Promotosh Kumer Das, Shahedul Alam Shahed, Abdul Maten Majomder Komal, Shah Alamgir Anik (Mithun Chowdhury)) , Jahid Hassan Ameli ( Atikur Rahman Mishu).
Pakistan: Muhammed Rizwan, Muhammed Ahmed, Jafar Khan, Faisal Iqbal, Saddam Husssain, Kaleem Ullah, Samar Ishaq, Atif Bashir Qureshi, Adnan Ahmed, Jadeed Khan Pathan, Kamran Khan.