Bangladesh’s hopes of retaining the gold medal in the men’s football event of the 12th South Asian Games have ended with a 3-0 loss to hosts India in the first semi-final at the Indira Gandhi Athletic stadium in Guwahati yesterday.
Bangladesh coach Gonzalo Sanchez Moreno fielded Masuk Miah Jony in place of Hemanta Vincent Biswas and they put up a good display until conceding two goals in the 41st minute. Bangladesh’s average performance and poor refereeing from Nepalese official Laba Khatri did not allow the visitors to stage a comeback in the second half.
Moreno was expelled from the ground during the match for yelling at the referee in the 62nd minute. Midfielder Jamal Bhuiyan also had to follow the Spanish coach with a red card for protesting against the referee’s decision after the game.
Midfielder Kumam Udanta Singh gave India the breakthrough in the 21st minute, capitalising on a blunder from defender Rezaul Karim Reza. Forward Mawihmingthanga doubled the lead in the 41st minute with a strike from outside the box. Midfielder Jayesh Dilip Rane sealed victory in the 64th minute.
