Bangladesh football team beat hosts Cambodia 1-0 in a Fifa friendly Thursday at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh as head coach Javier Cabrera tasted his first victory ever since taking charge of the Bengal Tigers.
Rakib Hossain scored the all-important goal from a Matin Miah assist in the 23rd minute as Cabrera finally got his maiden victory as Bangladesh coach after two draws and four defeats.
Jamal Bhuiyan and Co., who were deployed in a 4-1-4-1 formation, took the field with inspiration from their female counterparts who recently clinched the Saff Championship for the first time.
And despite some nervy moments, the visitors left the field with a victory as goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico and the defence admirably held on to their lead.
The goal was a thing of beauty as Matin made a lovely run into the Cambodia half before releasing Rakib who drifted inside the d-box and unleashed a fine right-footed placing shot to find the back of the net.
Rakib brought out Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous ‘Siuu’ celebration to mark his emphatic goal.
Matin could have got his name in the scoresheet but his thumping shot came off the crossbar in the 76th minute.
It was a much needed win for 192nd ranked Bangladesh who were winless in their last seven international games.
In the process, the men in red and green continued their dominance over 174th placed Cambodia as the former are now unbeaten in five matches between the two sides with four wins – including three in a row - and a draw.
Their last meeting ended in a 1-0 victory for Bangladesh in March, 2019 while Cambodia also lost 2-1 in the AFC Challenge in April, 2006.
Bangladesh had also won their international friendly 1-0 in April, 2009 while the two teams played out a 1-1 draw in the Nehru Cup in August, 2007.
