Nalaka Roshan free kick earned Sri Lanka a moral boosting 1-1 draw against Bangladesh in front of 12,000 vociferous fans at the Shamsul Huda Stadium in Jessore, Bangladesh.
The last time the two sides met, the Lankans had a comprehensive 3-0 win (in the AFC Challenge Cup in 2010 in Colombo). Despite having a 3-8 win-loss record against Bangladesh, Sri Lankan coach Nikola Kavazovic can take heart from the fact that this young side with an average age of 22 played their hearts out against the much more experienced Bangladesh side.
It was the hosts who stamped their authority early on backed by their fans and took a deserved lead in the 15th minute when forward Zahid Hasan Emily headed a Yamim Munna cross that was curved from the left flank, Sri Lankan goalkeeper Sujan Perera made an uncharacteristic error when he managed to stop the ball but it slipped from his gloves to enter the net sending the fans into ecstasy.
Sri Lankan never to be undone, regrouped and were level within 10 minutes. Sri Lanka vice captain and Navy SC midfielder Nalaka Roshan equalised in the 26th minute. Roshan cuved the free kick from the top of the box and Bangladesh goalie Russell Mahmud Liton was beaten in the air and at the far post to make it 1-1.
Sri Lankan goalie Sujan Perera saved his team from conceding the second as he managed to punch an Emily header to safety in the injury time of the first half.
The second half saw both the team exchange a number of counter attacks but failed to score a goal.
The second match of the series will be held at Rajshahi on Ocotber 27.
