Bangladesh’s World Cup 2022 qualification campaign ended with a disappointment as they lost to powerful Oman by 3-0 at the Jashim bin Hamad Stadium of Doha, Qatar on Tuesday.
Bangladesh, who were ravaged by injuries and suspension, started off with a robust defence but the charges of Jamie Day failed to resist the side which is 104 positions ahead in Fifa ranking.
Bangladesh were without their captain Jamal Bhuiyan, who was suspended along with defender Rahmat Mia and winger Biplu Ahmed due to suspension for yellow cards, and also missed midfielder Masuk Mia Jony for illness.
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Oman, as expectedly, kept most of the possession and could get ahead in the 17th minute but Bangladesh keeper Anisur Rahman Zico fisted a corner kick before saving the bicycle kick of Khalid Nasser off the rebound. Mohammad Ibrahim saved the men in red and green in next minute by clearing a head off the goal-line.
However, Oman broke the deadlock on 22nd minute when Mohammed Al Ghafri scored a tap-in off an immaculate cross from Khalid Khalifa Al Hajri.
Bangladesh got a great chance to bring the parity back six minutes later but Yasin Arafat’s head off a Mohammad Abdullah corner was fisted away by Oman goalkeeper Faiyz Al Rashidi.
Oman, on the other hand could double the lead before the break but Ahmed al Kabir’s shot in the dying moment of the first half came off the post.
They got their second goal in the 60th minute when Khalid placed the ball home from inside the penalty box. Zico denied Khalid in the 73 minute but he completed his brace in the 80th minute when he got the goalkeeper in one-on-one position.
Bangladesh finished at the bottom of the group F with just two points and they will have to vie in the play-off to earn a place in the next Asia Cup.