Bangladesh U19 got off to a perfect start in the AFC U19 Championship qualifiers, beating Sri Lanka 2-0 in their Group A opener, Bangabandhu National Stadium.
The hosts won the match with two second-half goals from Mannaf Rabbi and Masuk Miah after they dominated the entire match but were held goalless at halftime.
Bangladesh had their first real chance in the 21st minute when Sri Lankan goalie Rishad Mohammed parried away Md Ibrahim’s header before holding on to the rebound shot from Rohit Sarkar.
Bangladesh came close to a strike in the 28th minute. Forward Rohit Saker’s corner was pushed forward by winger Md. Ibrahim, Sri Lankan goalie Rishad Mohammed punched the ball unmarked forward Mannaf Rabbi found the rebound but the ball went straight to Rishad again.
Rishad came to the rescue again when he parried away a powerful shot from Rohit right after the break. Sri Lanka who took a counter attacking strategy occasionally roamed in the Bangladesh defence but hardly opened any clear-cut chances. In the last minute of the first half Rohit Sakar standing at the top of the box saw his volley missed the side post.
In the 49th minute Mannaf Rabbi sent a low cross from the right flanks into the box where Rohit Sarker fired a low volley was brilliantly saved by goalie Rishad.
Bangladesh finally broke the deadlock in the 67th minute. Ibrahim swung in a free kick into the left corner of the box where Rohit blazed in a volley that was blocked by the Sri Lankan defence. Rabbi, who was left unmarked, latched on to the loose ball and sent it into the back of the net.
Sri Lanka came close to an equalizer in the 77th minute but Dilip Peiris fired wide from a comfortable position in the box.
Captain Masuk Miah Zoni doubled the lead in the 83rd minute from a penalty. Ibrahim’s shot hit the hand of Sri Lankan Captain Dhanushka Madusanka in the box and Omani referee Abdullah Mohammad Al Hilali whistled for the penalty. Masuk converted the spot kick.
“We had possession and a few chances, but the opposition made us work for the goals with a deep defensive approach. Our players are not used to dominating matches, so they probably didn’t realise what they ought to do when they had the ball in the attacking third. However, I can’t complain about the outcome and the spirit of my team,” said Titu after the match.
Bangladesh chose to launch their attacks through the wings, but failed to penetrate the opposition’s five-man defence early in the first half. When they did manage to do so, Lankan goalkeeper Rishad Rasik made a few brilliant saves. However, despite dominating possession, Bangladesh played a number of misplaced passes, especially in defence, but were not made to pay.
Titu brought on young striker Sarwar Zaman Nipu in place of his former Under-16 teammate Saad Uddin, and the youngster’s pace unsettled the Lankan defence as the hosts started to penetrate.
Uzbekistan obliterated Bhutan 7-0 in the first match of the day to go top of the group on goal difference. Bangladesh will take on Bhutan in the next match on Sunday.
The group champions and the best five runners up will play in the main event in Bahrain in 2016. Hosts Bahrain youths will qualify automatically.
Bangladesh squad: Anisur Rahman, Mohammad Emon, Tutul Hossain Badsha, Bishwanath Ghosh, Masuk Miah Zoni, Rohit Sarkar (Anik Hossain), Shahariar Bappy, Mannaf Rabby (Biplo Ahmed), Mohammad Ibrahim, Saad Uddin (Sarower Zaman Nipu) and Jahangir Alam Sajeeb.
Sri Lanka squad: Rishad Mohamed, Jude Supan, Thevaraja Clintan, Anjana Wickramasighe (Peshala Malik Rajakaruna), Perumal Parveen, Danushaka Madusanka Kasthuri Arachchige, NireshSundararaj, Mathusan Resix, Mohamed Farood, Shaheel Mohamed Azar and Mohomed Afam Akram (Dilip Kurukulasuriyaage).
Referee: Abdullah Mohamed Al Hilali.
