A misfiring Bangladesh football team put up a brave display but could not break the jinx as they held Afghanistan to a goalless draw in the first of the two-match FIFA friendly series at Kings Arena in the capital Sunday.
The tie marked the historic debut of Kings Arena, the home ground of Bangladesh Premier League champions Bashundhara Kings, as it became the first privately-owned football ground in the country to host an international match.
Thousands of supporters gathered at the venue to cheer for the home side who missed at least two big chances to snatch victory amid organized and spirited performance throughout the game.
A minute of silence was observed to pay tribute to renowned sports organizer, entrepreneur, publisher and writer Kazi Shahid Ahmed who passed away last week.
Bangladesh’s Spanish head coach Javier Cabrera kept the squad unchanged from the SAFF Championship two months ago where they reached the semi-final for the first time in 14 years.
The men in red and green began the encounter brightly with young sensation Sheikh Morsalin and Rakib Hossain looking threatening up front.
Rakib continued to penetrate the Afghan defence through the right side but did not get enough support at the beginning.
Morsalin, who made his debut and scored twice at the SAFF Championship, played as center-forward despite basically being an attacking creative midfielder.
It was Morsalin who went close to scoring in the 19th minute but his powerful effort from the left side of the box was blocked.
Morsalin was at it again three minutes later as his defence splitting through pass set Rakib free just outside the box but his shot was stopped by Mosawer Ahadi.
The visitors only had one chance in the opening half when Noma Walizada’s volley from the top of the box was cleared by Tariq Kazi with ease.
Morsalin squandered a golden opportunity to open the scoring 10 minutes after the break when he shot over the bar on one-on-one with the goalkeeper following brilliant work by Rakib.
Rakib also missed a great chance just after the hour mark by sending the ball over from close range following a cross from Foysal Ahmed Fahim, who made an immediate impact after coming off the bench replacing Tariq.
Bangladesh could not beat the Afghans in six previous meetings in the last 15 years as four of them ended in a draw.
Cabrera’s charges will have another chance to end the jinx when the two sides face each other in the second and last game of the friendly series at the same venue Thursday.
Playing Xl
Bangladesh: Anisur Rahman Zico; Isa Faysal, Topu Barman, Tariq Kazi (Foysal Ahmed Fahim 61), Bishwanath Ghosh; Mohammad Ridoy (Mojibor Rahman Jony 68), Mohammad Sohel Rana, Sohel Rana, Jamal Bhuiyan (Saad Uddin 61); Rakib Hossain, Sheikh Morsalin (Rabiul Hasan 81).
Afghanistan: Ahmad Hamidi; Mahboob Hanifi, Farzad Ataie, Taufee Skandari, Mustafa Azadzoy, Noma Walizada, Zelfagar Nazari, Omid Popalzay, Mosawer Ahadi, Yar Mohammad, Amiruddin Sharifi.