Bangladesh kicked off their SAFF Championship 2026 campaign with a 1-0 victory over Bhutan in the opening Group A fixture at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Thursday.
Fielding an unusual lineup that featured full-back Bishwanath Ghosh as a centre-forward, Bangladesh struggled to create enough scoring opportunities to test Bhutan’s defence before Mohammad Ibrahim’s decisive strike in the 69th minute.
Bishwanath’s inclusion as a striker in his first appearance in the position for the national team was not the only surprise in the starting XI, as captain Topu Barman was also withdrawn and replaced by Syed Quazem Shah less than an hour before kick-off.
Topu had initially been named in the starting lineup in the pre-match report, but an old thigh injury ruled the key defender out of the contest.
Bangladesh came close to scoring in the 17th minute when Bishwanath met Rakib Hossain’s cross, but his header narrowly missed the target.
Bishwanath saw another effort go wide in the 39th minute as Bangladesh struggled to find a breakthrough in the first half.
Ibrahim replaced Bishwanath after the break and finally broke the deadlock in the 69th minute with a well-timed volley.
Zayyan Ahmed delivered a cross, which Shamit Shome headed down into Ibrahim’s path. The winger made no mistake, powering the ball into the net to secure all three points for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh are expected to receive a further boost with the arrival of Hamza Choudhury ahead of their concluding Group A fixture against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
Hamza has been unavailable until the opening of the FIFA international window, which runs from November 9 to 17. The Leicester City midfielder is expected to join the squad soon after the window opens.
Result
Bhutan 0 – Bangladesh 1 (Ibrahim 69’)
Playing Xl
Bangladesh: Mehedi Hasan Srabon, Zidane Yousuf, Zayyan Ahmed (Rahmat Mia), Tariq Kazi, Syed Quazem Shah (Md Ridoy), Jamal Bhuiyan (Md Sohel Rana), Shamit Shome, Rakib Hossain, Foysal Ahmed Fahim (Fahamedul Islam), Bishwanath ghosh (Mohamamd Ibrahim)
Bhutan: Gyeltshen Zangpo, Chencho Gyeltshen, Phuntsho Jigme, Tenzin Norbu, Jignam Dorji, Pema Jangpo, Wangchuk Tshering (Jigdrel Wangchuk), Dawa Tshering (Kinga Wangchuk), Nima Wangdi, Tshel Namgyel (SonalDorji), Kinzang Tobden (Jetsuen Dorji)