Bangladesh swept into the semifinals of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup at the cost of Malaysia Xl's 2-1 defeat in their last group match against Sri Lanka at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Friday.
The confirmation of the Bengal Tigers' semifinal berth came before they even play their last Group A match against Nepal in the evening. Malaysia's Felda United defeat also ensured Nepal's place in the last-four as well.
Forward LAND Bandara put Sri Lanka ahead in the 19th minute against the run of play. Followed by a quick counter attack, midfielder Azar Mohamed Shaheel provided a through pass to Sundaraj Niresh at the left edge of the box and Niresh cut the ball back to Bandara whose toe pocked ball hit the side post before entering into the net.
Malaysia, the defending champions, had two chances to equalise in the rest of the first half when Bobby Gonzales' 36th-minute side-volley hit the woodwork and the substitute forward failed to beat Sri Lankan goalie Ruwan Arunasiri in a one-on-one situation in the added time.
Midfielder Sanjeewa made Malaysia's job more difficult when he doubled the lead in the 63rd minute placing home in a forward pass of Chalana Chameera.
Malaysia managed to reduce the margin in the 82nd minute when defender Fazly Alias' header slipped from Lankan keeper to enter the net following a cross of Hadin Azman.