Bangladesh began their AFC Under-23 Championship Group E Qualifiers with a disappointing 4-0 loss against a strong Syria side at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The defeat was apparently an indicator for the home side that they do not have much of a chance of progressing to the final round from a formidable group. All they can expect to gain from the Qualifiers is some much-needed experience and exposure.
The senior side of Bangladesh faced Syria three times before and lost all of them although their worst defeat came by a two-goal margin. The Syrian U-23 players, however, looked more mature and physically stronger and taller than all of the Bangladesh players. Some of the players of the visiting team even appeared older than 23.
Bangladesh badly missed the services of their best player in recent times, midfielder Hemanta Vincent Biswas. In the absence of Hemanta who was serving a suspension, the hosts began the game with Wahed Ahmed upfront. Skipper Rayhan Hasan played as a centre-back while Tapu Barman started at right-back.
Syria appeared to be too strong for the home side from the very beginning. They dominated midfield as well as the game right from the kick-off and gave little space to their opposition. The visitors did not take long to take the lead and straightaway put Bangladesh on the backfoot.
It was Omar Kharbin who made it 1-0 for Syria. The skillful midfielder opened the scoring with just five minutes into the clock as his powerful free-kick from 25 yards sneaked into the top-right corner leaving Bangladesh goalkeeper Russel Mahmud Liton stranded.
Syria almost doubled their lead in the 10th minute when defender Mouaiad Al Ajjan’s free-kick hit the merging point of the sidepost and crossbar.
However, Syria did not have to wait long as they found the back of the net again four minutes later from a set piece. Another free-kick by Ajjan from the right flank met midfielder Amro Jeniat who headed home from the centre of the box, stunning the Bangladesh players in the process.
Syria narrowly made it 3-0 at the stroke of the first half when Muayad Alkhouli’s header hit the sidepost following a Amro Jeniat cross from the left flank.
Kharbin though made no mistake in the added time of the first half, extending the lead to 3-0 from the spot. Syria were awarded a penalty after Bangladesh’s Nahidul Islam Nahid handled the ball inside the box.
Bangladesh had their first and only chance of the game at the hour mark when striker Wahed’s volley from the edge of the box flew over the crossbar.
Syria’s substitute midfielder Mahmoud Almawas completed the rout in the 81st minute, slotting home past Liton in the near post after collecting a pass from Nassouh Nakkdahli.