The Bangladesh football team gave the country double cause for celebration as following the cricket team’s Test victory after 18 months, the footballers also bagged their first home win after the same duration as they defeated Sri Lanka 1-0 at the Muktijuddho Smrity Stadium in Rajshahi yesterday.
Experienced forward Jahid Hasan Emily struck the all-important goal from the spot in the second and final game as the hosts claimed the SS Steel Fifa international friendly series after the first game in Jessore ended in a 1-1 draw.
The last time Bangladesh won an international game was back in March, 2013 against the Northern Mariana Islands. Thanks to Emily who scored his 18th international goal in his 55th match, the hosts recorded a much-awaited victory in front of a jam-packed crowd of nearly 30,000. The stadium in the north-western region of the country has a capacity of around 20,000 and the spectators in the overcrowded venue barely settled on their seats as Emily gave Bangladesh the lead in just the third minute.
The Lankans had no reply to the hosts’ dominative display as the fans present in the venue, hosting its first international game after 22 years, went home content after witnessing an impressive performance from the home side.
Bangladesh coach Saiful Bari Titu replaced Mithun Chowdhury and Ariful from their previous XI and put in expatriate footballer Jamal Bhuiyan and Sohel Rana, but the best player on the pitch was without any doubt right winger Zahid Hossain who entertained the crowd with his wide array of skills and created a couple of chances.
It took Emily less than a minute to register his first shot on target but his header following a Mamunul corner was cleared by Sri Lanka defender Kumara at the goal-line.
A minute later, Roshan brought down skipper Mamunul Islam as Emily sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to get the early lead.
The hosts’ rhythm though was slightly disrupted when talismanic midfielder Mamunul was substituted due to a back muscle injury.
Emily had two glorious opportunities to double the lead 10 minutes into the second half, but the score remained unchanged which was enough reasons for a wild celebration.