Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh moved into the group phase of the FIFA World Cup (WC) qualifiers beating Maldives by 2-1 goals in their FIFA World Cup play-off qualifier match at Bashundhara Kings Arena in the city on Tuesday.
By virtue of yesterday’s victory, Bangladesh have been qualified for the next round. Bangladesh have been billed in the Group-I with Australia, Palestine and Lebanon.
The next round will be held home and away basis. So, Bangladesh will get opportunity to play six international matches.
The first half was locked 1-1.
Rakib Hossain of Bangladesh put his team ahead in the 11th minute using a short pass of his teammate Fahim which Fahim got on his way from a left side pass of Saduddin.
Aisam Ibrahim of Maldives equalised the margin capitalising a corner kick of his teammate Hamja in the 36th minute of the match.
After the interval, Fahim broke the dead-lock by a forceful shot in the 46th minute of the match.
In the 15th minute, Fahim’s shot was saved by Maldives goalie which Fahim got on his way from a cross of his teammate Jamal Bhuyan.
Maldives got their first chance in the 21st minute of the play. Hamja dribbled past four defenders and struck the shot in the goalbar but Bangladesh defender Hridoy saved his team from danger by clear the ball.
Rakib got the Maldives custodian alone in the 29th minute but he failed to defeat lone Maldives goalie.
After four minutes, Hamja’s angular shot was saved by Bangladesh custodian Mitul Marma.
In the 34th minute, Rakib’s placing shot was bounced back from the sidebar which Rakib got the ball from a cross of his teammate Jamal Bhuyan.
In the 59th minute Sohel Rana of Bangladesh was showed red card in the 59th minute of the game.
Thus, Bangladesh became 10-man squad.
Later, Ahnaf of Maldives was showed red card in the injury time of the second-half.
Thus Maldives also became 10-man team.