Bangladesh crashed out of the AFC Under-23 Championship Group E Qualifiers after suffering a humiliating 5-0 defeat against a strong Uzbekistan side at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Skipper Sardor Rakhmanov led his side from the front as the defender netted a brace in the opening half but midfielder Masharipov Jaloliddin played the most influential role in the huge win by scoring one and assisting two for Rakhmanov.
The struggle against set-pieces remained a major problem for the home side. Among the four goals conceded in the first half yesterday, three were shipped in set-pieces. The height of the Bangladesh players made it difficult to resist Uzbekistan, who are ranked sixth in the AFC rankings.
The scoreline could have been more embarrassing for Bangladesh had Uzbekistan played their best eleven. The Uzbeks drafted six changes from the playing eleven that had defeated India in the previous Qualifier. Three key Uzbekistan players – skipper Vladimir Kozak, Igor Sergeev and Jamshid Iskanderov – were rested.
Bangladesh on the contrary received a fillip before the Qualifier kicked off as juvenile midfielder Hemanta Vincent Biswas returned to the best eleven after serving his suspension. Omar Faruk Babu made way for Hemanta while the other change saw Shakil Ahmed replacing Yousuf Sifat.
The opening goal came with just four minutes into the clock from a brilliant Masharipov free-kick from 20 yards out. Masharipov then set up the next two goals.
Rakhmanov doubled the lead in the 13th minute, heading home another brilliant Masharipov free-kick. Rakhmanov added his second and his side’s third in the 29th minute and from here, there was no comeback possible for the hosts. Midfielder Abbosbek Makhstaliev made it 4-0 five minutes before the end of the first half.
Uzbekistan were then reduced to 10 men in the 54th minute when Shagulyamov Alisher received a straight red card for reacting furiously towards a foul on Tapu Barman but the hosts were unable to take advantage as they also played with a man less from the 70th minute onwards after skipper Rayhan Hasan received his marching orders. Rayhan also received a straight red card.
Uzbekistan will now face Syria in their third and final Group E Qualifier tomorrow. Both sides have six points each from two Qualifiers which means the winner of the tie will progress to the final round as the group champions.
