Bangladesh concluded their football calendar this year with a 2-1 win over the visiting Maldives in the second and last match of the two-game FIFA friendly series held in the capital’s Bashundhara Kings Arena Saturday.
Mojibur Rahman Jony cancelled out Ali Fasir’s goal in the opening half before substitute Papon Singh sealed the dramatic winner in stoppage time.
Spanish head coach Javier Cabrera made one change in the starting XI by bringing midfielder Jony in place of Canadian expatriate Syed Shah Quazem Kirmanee who made debut start in red and green jersey in the previous clash.
The Maldives head coach Ali Suzain also went for a single change as Ahmed Rizuvan came in to replace injured midfielder Hamza Mohamed.
Jony’s inclusion propelled Bangladesh’s attack but the defence made a blunder to allow the Maldives initiate an unexpected foray that led to the opening goal.
A misplaced pass by Topu Barman put the ball on opponents’ feet near the box as Fasir calmly slotted past goalkeeper Mitul Marma to jolt the hosts.
Foysal Ahmed Fahim went close to grabbing the equalizer in the 40th minute but his piercing shot from Rakib Hossain’s pass was saved brilliantly by the Maldives keeper Hussain Shareef.
On rebound, Sheikh Morsalin sent the ball flying over the bar.
Jony made it all square three minutes later as his sneaky effort from just outside the box ended up hitting the side net through the far post.
Rakib had a powerful strike on goal five minutes into the second half but Shareef tipped the effort away for a corner.
Mitul also made a fine save to deny Rizuvan’s close-range header.
Under-23 forward Piash Ahmed Nova was introduced as a substitute for his debut international appearance for the senior team.
He got a golden chance to score the winner in the 84th minute but failed to hit the target on an open net.
Two Bangladesh substitutes were architects of the winning goal.
Papon converted his lone chance four minutes into added time, placing home past the Maldives custodian following a precise cross of substitute Shahriar Emon.
The men in red and green conceded a 1-0 defeat in the first encounter despite showing sheer dominance over the opponents.
They leveled the series with this win.
RESULT
Bangladesh 2 (Jony 43, Papon 90+4) Maldives 1 (Fasir 23)
