Bangladesh fought valiantly in the first semi-final of the SAFF Bangabandhu Championship 2023 before conceding a narrow 1-0 loss to Kuwait at Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, India Saturday.
The difference between the two sides in the FIFA rankings was not reflected much during normal time as Bangladesh took the game to extra 30 minutes where Kuwait showed resilience to seal victory.
Kuwait will face the winner of Saturday's second semi-final between hosts India and Lebanon in Tuesday's final at the same venue.
Tariq Raihan Kazi returned to the starting eleven as the only change by Javier Cabrera from the last game against Bhutan where the center-back was unavailable due to ankle injury.
Sheikh Morsalin started once again to boost a confident attacking line-up also comprising Rakib Hossain up front.
The in-form duo scored a combined four goals in the last two matches.
The Bashundhara Kings duo were involved in the game's first attack in the second minute when Rakib, following a Bishwanath Ghosh throw in, sped past his marker to feed a delightful ball for Morsalin whose close-range side-footed shot was blocked by Kuwait goalkeeper Abdul Rahman Marzouq.
Isa Faysal made a clearance in front of goal-line during a goal-mouth scramble before Rakib tried his luck from outside the box prior to the half-hour mark but the effort went to Marzouq's gloves.
Few minutes later, Morsalin, from the left flank, delivered a fine cross for Rakib who was tightly marked and could not connect well.
Kuwait's Eid Alrashidi tested Anisur Rahman Zico with a shot from outside the box but the diving Bangladesh keeper was ready with a punch in the 39th minute.
Kuwait's Portuguese head coach Rui Fernando Bento fielded three substitutes at the beginning of the second half and added one more within seven minutes when their two key forwards came in to change the momentum.
Bangladesh also came up with a quick response when Rakib's powerful left-footed strike from around 25 yards flew inches over the crossbar in the 55th minute.
Rakib hit the lower part of the woodwork from a tight angle following Morsalin's precise through pass at the hour-mark as Bangladesh looked more threatening up front.
Zico produced two fine saves soon afterwards to keep Kuwait's attack at bay while Tariq carried on his brilliant display at the back that included three crucial clearances.
Abdullah Daham saw his effort from the top left side of the box go over the bar at the start of the seven-minute stoppage period before the game rolled into 30-minute extra time.
Zico again made another big save on one-on-one in the 99th minute as Kuwait kept Bangladesh defence under pressure.
Abdullah Alboushi finally broke the deadlock in the added time of the opening half of extra-time with a calm finish into the far post, giving Zico no chance this time.
Rakib had a great chance to equalize in the 118th minute following Bishwanath's long ball but the forward's volley was blocked by Marzouq with stretched leg.
Substitue Suman Reza dribbled past a couple of Kuwait defenders to break into the box but his shot was cleared for a corner in the dying moments.
Bishwanath came up with a long-ranger straight to the keeper which proved to be their last opportunity just before the final whistle.
Bangladesh earlier defeated the Maldives and Bhutan by similar 3-1 margin in the last two group phase matches to reach the semi-finals of the tournament after 14 years.
Bangladesh Starting XI: Anisur Rahman Zico, Bishwanath Ghosh, Topu Barman, Tariq Kazi, Isa Faysal (Rahmat Mia 109), Sohel Rana, Mohammad Sohel Rana, Jamal Bhuiyan (Foysal Ahmed Fahim 68, Rabiul Hasan 109), Mohammad Ridoy (Mojibur Rahman Jony 91), Sheikh Morsalin (Mohammad Ibrahim 87), Rakib Hossain
RESULT
Kuwait 1 (Alboushi 105+2) Bangladesh 0
