Bangladesh suffered second defeat in the ongoing AFC Asian Cup qualifying round when they went down by 2-1 to Turkeministan on Saturday at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The score line is not the real picture of the match when Bangladesh demonstrated better football and had better scoring chances than the opponents. But due to failures of the strikers they had to suffer the defeat.
Both the Bangladesh and Turkmenistan played the match after their first opening match defeat and were eager to earn points.
From the very beginning the intention of both sides were clear when they looked on offensive attitude but in the early stage Turkmenistan were on upper hands in attacking and also took lead on seventh minute.
Turkmenistan, who earned four corners inside six minutes and made perfect utilize of the last one with an ordinary finish by Al Tymyrat to make early breakthrough (1-0).
Bangladesh team, who looked a different side after a long time, were making strong responses to opponents’ high pressing game.
Ibrahim, Sazzad, Rakib and Biplu, who immediately began to cause problems for the back line of the Turkmenistan and made their combined efforts fruitful on 12th minute to make comeback in the game.
Turkmenistan defenders trying to hold an attack considered a corner, which initiated scoring chance for Bangladesh. A trademark long throw-in of Bisawnath Ghosh found Rakib inside the box. Rakib beat the defenders taller than him to take a back header and Ibrahim did not miss to heading home the ball from close (1-1).
After conceding the early goal from an ordinary effort, Bangladesh turned very fierce in attacking zone and controlling the possession just squeezed the opponents to equalize the margin.
However, after two goals, one from either ends inside 15 minutes, most of the first half Bangladesh had clear domination and also opened better scoring chances than the opponents.
Bangladesh demonstrating strong attacks went closer and opened at least three good scoring chances but Rakib and Sazzad, spoiled the opportunities to take lead.
Bangladesh could have the lead on 22nd minute but Rakib missed the first chance being in the advantageous position inside the area, as he couldn’t find a way past Turkmenistan keeper Oraz Muhammedov who saw no trouble to grab the feeble shot.
Bangladesh booters, who were on full control on the match, created another opportunity but this time Rakib looked not sharp to shot past into the post when Saazad beautifully dribbled past three of his markers to provide the pass for Rakib.
After the one all draw, Bangladesh drew the first blood in the second half and could have taken the lead just after two minutes of kick off but this time also Sazzad did not found the net as his weaker effort was straight to goalkeeper.
Saazad, was much ill-fated missing another an easy scoring chance, when he failed to beat the goalkeeper having one and one situation on 49th minute.
Bangladesh keeping their attacking attitude threatened again but Fahim joined the missing trial when being on an open space inside the area short straight to keeper on a good cross from Biplu on 72nd.
Bangladesh throwing away the clear scoring chances, conceded second goal on 77th minute against the flow of the match when their substitute Amanov Arslan found net from a counter attack (2-1).
The last chance came to Bangladesh had way to have at least a draw on 89th minute but Tutul Hossain Badsah took a sky high shot on Jamal’s pass just from some hand-shake distance from the goal-line.
