An incontrovertible performance from an iron-willed Bangladesh side was too hot to handle for Thailand Under-23 as the hosts strolled into the final of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup, courtesy a 1-0 win over the southeast Asian outfit inside an overflowing Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Veteran Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club defender Nasir Uddin netted the all-important goal in the opening half with a superb finish and each and every single Bangladesh player worked their socks off to ensure the clean sheet. The men in Red and Green will face Malaysia U-23 in the final at the same venue tomorrow.
In many ways, the victory is significant for Bangladesh football and its future. More than a decade has passed since Bangladesh last reached the final of an international tournament. On the last occasion, they reached the Saff Championship final at home in 2005.
Following a convincing victory against Sri Lanka in their last group stage match last Monday, expectation was high among the football faithful and accordingly, a significant number of spectators gathered at the venue to watch the game. The official capacity of the BNS is not more than 25,000 but more than 30,000 spectators thronged the big bowl. The last time the BNS witnessed such a crowd was back in 2009 in the Super Cup final between local rivals Abahani and Mohammedan.
Dutch coach Lodewijk de Kruif retained the starting eleven that played against Sri Lanka while Thailand made two changes, bringing in defender Selanon Nitipong and midfielder Bunsan Kitphom in place of Surawich and Chayawat respectively.
The first half was dominated by the home side as they made a mockery of the world rankings where Thailand are 144th, 21 places above Bangladesh. The hosts appeared calm, composed and organised right from the onset and orchestrated attacks with short passing, not with their customary long ball plays.
Bangladesh were rock-solid in defence, led by the admirable pair of Rayhan Hasan and Nasir. The ball was being moved around in the Thailand half most of the time. Experienced striker Jahid Hasan Emily seemed to have regained his confidence and his movement was pivotal in many Bangladesh attacks.
The hosts went close with just six minutes into the clock when skipper Mamunul Islam received a Sohel Rana cross with his chest, dodged past a defender before shooting wide from a tight angle. Five minutes later, Emily met Rayhan’s long throw-in inside the penalty area but saw his header flying wide.
In the meantime, the Thai defenders were unable to thwart the quick movements of right-winger Zahid Hossain.
Bangladesh almost grabbed the opener in the 20th minute but young midfielder Hemanta Vincent Biswas failed to connect from eight yards following a Zahid cross. Zahid was a constant menace as he exhibited great skills to slalom past two defenders before setting up an unmarked Hemanta. Hemanta delivered a high cross into the box, Sohel received it but his shot was blocked by Nitipong.
Another Rayhan throw-in caused havoc in the opposition defence at the half-hour mark but Thai goalkeeper Yos Somporn made a decent save to deny Emily’s header.
Bangladesh though were not to be denied in the 39th minute when Nasir tapped home a Mamunul corner from the right flag. Nasir is not famous for his goal-scoring exploits, rather, he is known as “Army Nasir” due to his defence-service background. The strongly-built defender made good use of his marching skills on the pitch and pulled his body high before sending the ball into the near post with his left foot.
A defensive Bangladesh chose a different tactic in the second half, concentrating more on keeping the lead. Thailand stringed together a few attacks after resumption but were unable to find the back of the net. In the second half, Thai forward Parmpak Pakorn tried his luck from 25 yards out with a looping shot. His curled effort though hit the woodwork. Thailand almost equalised in the 71st minute but Rayhan produced a brilliant block inside the box to deny forward Pimkoon Jaturong.
Bangladesh will now encounter Malaysia in the grand finale tomorrow. The two sides met earlier in the competition, in the group stages. On that occasion, Malaysia were victorious by a slender 1-0 margin.