Despite taking an early lead, a moderate display from Bangladesh saw them concede a 2-1 defeat against Singapore in a Fifa international friendly at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Much to the delight of the home fans, veteran defender Nasir Uddin Chowdhury put Bangladesh ahead in the early stages of the game. Nawaz Hameed however, brought parity at the half-hour mark to silence the big bowl and it was the visitors who had the last laugh as KA bin Kamal bagged the winner in the second half to stun the holiday crowd. This was Singapore’s maiden victory against Bangladesh in three attempts with the other two matches ending in draws.
The hosts began the game brightly and continued their domination over the opposition in the first half an hour when they could have scored more than just once. Following the 30-minute mark, Bangladesh’s midfield appeared disorganised until the later stages of the game. The profligacy of the home side’s forward line was also another reason why Singapore ran away with the game.
The visitors’ attackers, in contrast, made full use of their limited opportunities while their defence rode out the barrage of attacks orchestrated by their opponents.
Bangladesh’s Dutch head coach Lodewijk de Kruif brought in experienced campaigner Enamul Haque, who returned to the national side after a five-year hiatus. Enamul was deployed on the right wing in the absence of nimble-footed Sheikh Russel KC winger Zahid Hossain, who missed out due to a stomach bug. The Muktijoddha forward might look all of 31 years old but he put in an impressive shift, playing for the whole duration of the ninety minutes. Later, Jewel Rana came off the bench in the second half to make his international bow.
The tie was only four minutes old when Sheikh Jamal DC skipper Nasir put the home side ahead. Captain Mamunul Islam delivered an inch-perfect free-kick from the right flank and Nasir outmuscled his marker to meet the cross and glanced his sliding header into the back of the net.
Bangladesh went agonisingly close to doubling their lead in the 25th minute but Singapore goalkeeper Sunny made a tremendous save to deny Enamul. Moments later, senior forward Jahid Hasan Ameli managed to send the ball into the net but his effort was disallowed as the linesman awarded a corner to the hosts instead.
And against the run of play, Singapore cancelled out the lead in the 31st minute from a goalmouth melee. Hameed’s initial header was blocked by Bangladesh custodian Mazharul Islam Hemel, only to hit the sidepost and land safely. Hameed made no mistake tapping home into an empty net.
Left winger Sohel Rana was perhaps the most disappointing Bangladesh player on display. The fleet-footed winger was unable to cope up with the pace of his team-mates and shot wide in a one-on-situation with Sunny two minutes before the first-half whistle.
Rana’s miss proved to be costly as Singapore grabbed the winning goal in the 72nd minute. Although Hemel tipped away a corner, Kamal took full advantage as the ball fell kindly at his feet. Kamal, taking a shot from the edge of the box, smashed home over the keeper’s head and into the back of the net.
Bangladesh will play their second and final Fifa international friendly against Afghanistan this Tuesday at the same venue before preparing for their first 2018 World Cup qualifier at home to Kyrgyzstan on June 11.
Defending Saff champions Afghanistan arrived yesterday at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:45pm.
Squads
Bangladesh: Hemel; Yeamin, Yeasin, Rayhan, Nasir; Mamunul, Jamal, Sohel, Hemanta, Ameli, Enamul.
Singapore: Sunny; Esah, Mohana, Mukhtar, Sujad; Baharuddin, Harun, Arifin, Yacob; Kamal, Hameed.
