Saff U-18 Football
Bangladesh stun India in opener
The winners score all four goals in second half after trail by 3-0
Sports Reporter
Substitute Jafar Iqbal struck twice as Bangladesh national Under-18 football team earned a stunning 4-3 victory over India after came from a three goal down in the SAFF Under-18 Championship yesterday in Thimpu.
Bangladesh who went down 0-3 in the first half, scored four goals in the second half.
Bangladesh defenders looked very careless when an Indian defender sent a long pass from outside their box and the Indian forward Lala Wampuia beat Tutul Hossain Badshah and Mahmudul Hassan Kiron to receive the ball and shot past goalkeeper into the far post on 18th (1-0). Bangladesh players, who looked very disorganized from the kick off, conceded another goal on 32nd minute and this time it was from a penalty.
According to a TV live telecast, it looked a major punishment for a minor offense when referee called for a penalty decision against Tutul Hossain Badshah when he tackled an Indian forward inside the area but referee could overlook that. Edmund Lalrindika converted the spot kick to double the margin (2-0).
Bangladesh digested the third one in the added time when Rebello P Arnold scored a beautiful goal from set piece from 20 yards when there was no wall or any protection at least to disturb Arnold and the goalkeeper also left the post open, as his shot straight went to the top corner of the net (3-0).
Bangladesh, who was a bit nervous after conceding three goals in the opening session, worked hard to bounce back and scored two goals in a span of five minutes and got back their rhythm.
It was a strong combined attack of Bangladesh built up from the midway of their own half and Indian defender tackled the initial stress at the cost of a corner but a pin-pointed corner of Bipol Ahmed found Jafar Iqbal closer to the post, who rose higher than Indian marker to head home on 55th (1-3).
Inspired by the Jafar Iqbals tremendous header, Bangladesh grabbed the match control and reduced second one five minutes later this time Indian goalkeeper catch a back pass and Bangladesh obtained a indirect free kick, Rahmat Meah blasted his right footer in the net from the goal-mouth melee (2-3).
Bangladesh became more desperate after closing gap and equalized
the margin on 74th through Abu Sufian (3-3).
After equalizing the margin Bangladesh youngsters squeezed their Indian counterparts and snatched the wonderful victory when Jafar Iqbal, who came leapt higher than the Indian defenders to head home a Bipol Ahmed corner kick (4-3).
Bangladesh team head coach Mahbubur Rahman Roxy expressed his happiness for this stunning result. In my playing carrier I have never seen Bangladesh team coming back to a game from behind after conceding two goals. Its just a brilliant job done by my players.
In the second half we were able to execute the game strategy. We originally set out to execute. we perfectly carried out our game plan and worked at out accurately in all departments. We also got some wind advantage . Above all I will like to thanks the Almighty Allah for helping us making a historic win, said the former national team midfielder.
An overwhelmed team manager Amirul Islam Babu said, the boys carried out the instruction given by the coach and technical adviser perfectly. We made history and we would not stop this winning streak before returning to home. Inshallah we will try to clinch the Championship Trophy.
