Hosts Bangladesh made a promising start in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup 2018 as second-half goal by Biplo Ahmed helped them salvage all three points in the inaugural game with a dominating 1-0 win over Laos at Sylhet District Stadium on Monday.
After a barren opening half dominated by the misfiring home side, hard-working young winger Biplo Ahmed gave his side the much-deserved winner at the hour mark. The victory sent the men in red and green to the halfway in their bid for the semifinal berth.
If Laos lose or draw against a stronger Philippines side on Wednesday, Bangladesh will move through to the last four before they even face Philippines in the last Group B match on Friday.
Bangladesh played out a 2-2 draw away against Laos during a friendly on March 27 this year from where as many as six players started for the home side while four got into Laos eleven including midfielder Phithack Kongmathilath, who scored a brace in that friendly.
Jamie Day made three changes from the disappointing defeat against Nepal in their last game in the Saff Championship last month. Ashraful Islam Rana returned in between the posts while striker Nabib Newaz Ziban returned to pair with Mahbubur Rahman Sufil upfront while youngster Rabiul Hasan also returned on the left wing. Masuk Miah Zoni partnered with Jamal Bhuiyan in the midfield leaving Mamunul Islam on the bench.
The hosts scored the winning goal a minute before the hour-mark after a couple of promising attacks were denied by the keeper Saymanolinh Paseuth. Saymanolinh punched away Ziban’s initial shot but Sufil collected the rebound and crossed it for Ziban whose header was denied by the crossbar. An unmarked Biplo calmly placed home on the rebound from close-range into the near post.
More to follow...
