Bangladesh plays 1-1 draw with Maldives in SA Games football

The gold mission of Bangladesh Men’s U-23 Football team in the ongoing 13th South Asian Games has faded as they played to a 1-1 draw with the Maldives in a vital 2nd league match at the Dasharath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal on Tuesday, says UNB.

In the days other match, holders Nepal made a flying start outplaying all losers Bhutan by 4-0 goals at the same venue Tuesday afternoon.

Bangladesh team badly needed a win against the Maldives in the day’s match to stay in the final race of the five-nation games football after suffering an embarrassing 0-1 goal defeat against lowly Bhutan in the opener, failed to achieve their goal despite leading the day’s match till 70th minute.

With the day’s frustrating draw, the gold mission of the Bangladesh team in the SA Games has become uncertain after clinching games gold in 1999 in Kathmandu and 2010 in Dhaka, as they bagged only point from two outings of the ongoing meet.

However, Bangladesh have a slim chance to reach the final even if they win their remaining two matches. Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka on Thursday (5 December) at 5:15pm and hosts and defending champions Nepal on 8 December at 5:15pm, all at the same stadium.

In the day’s crucial match, Jamal Bhuiyan–led Bangladesh took lead in the 30th minute by a suicidal goal by Maldives captain Akram Abdulk Ghani.

Riadul Hasan made a header, off a throw–in of Rabiul Hasan and Maldives custodian cleared it initially, but the ball kissed the net touching the Akram Abdul Ghani (1-0).

Ibrahim Mahudi Hussain restored the parity for the Maldives in the 70th minute by an angular shot from the danger zone with frustration of Bangladesh (1-1).
On completion of the league basis matches, two top teams will play in the final on 10 December at the same venue.