Bangladesh kicked off their FIFA ASEAN Cup campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Malaysia at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Friday.
The inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup features three guest teams, including Bangladesh.
Malaysia, who won the last encounter between the two sides 4-1 in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in 2022, saw their marksman Arif Aiman score twice in the first half to take control of the match.
Brazilian Bergson da Silva, one of three diaspora and naturalised players making their Malaysia debuts, added the third soon after the break to seal the victory.
Bangladesh head coach Thomas Dooley made six changes to the starting XI, handing England-based winger Farhaan Ali Wahid his international debut.
Bangladesh’s last match was against hosts San Marino on June 5, when they secured a 2-1 victory. Topu Barman scored both goals in that match, but the defender missed the ASEAN Cup fixture through injury and was replaced by Shakil Ahad Topu.
The captain’s armband was handed to Sohel Rana after regular skipper Jamal Bhuiyan, who captained the side against San Marino, was left on the bench.
Malaysia dominated from the outset, with Bangladesh goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Srabon making a fine fingertip save to deny Faisal Halim’s long-range effort in the fourth minute.
Arif Aiman broke the deadlock in the 18th minute after collecting a delicate lob from Nooa Laine before skipping past Shakil and calmly finding the net.
Bangladesh attackers twice entered the Malaysian penalty area through Farhaan and Rakib, but neither could break through the defence before Arif doubled the lead.
Arif’s second goal came in the 37th minute. Unmarked just outside the box, he received a short pass after Shakil lost possession and found the back of the net.
Srabon produced another spectacular save in the 44th minute to prevent Malaysia from extending their advantage before the break.
Japan-based Shuki Itofusa made his international debut as an early second-half substitute, replacing Farhaan on the left wing.
Bergson extended Malaysia’s lead in the 52nd minute with a fine turn and first touch before firing into the net.
London-born Zidane Yousuf also made his Bangladesh debut as a 59th-minute substitute, replacing Tariq Kazi.
Hamza Choudhury again impressed with his ball-winning ability in the opening half. The midfielder was deployed further forward during the final 15 minutes and twice tested Malaysia goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli from inside the danger area, but the keeper made saves on both occasions.
In the 82nd minute, substitute midfielder Shahriar Emon, who had provided the pass for Hamza’s chance, saw his weak effort from the edge of the box go straight to the goalkeeper.
The men in red and green will take on Singapore on September 28 at the same venue before facing hosts Indonesia in their final group-stage match on October 1.
