BANGABANDHU GOLD CUP

Tajikistan beat Nepal 2-nil

Defending champions Nepal suffered a big blow in their opening match as they went down to Tajikistan by 2-0 in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football Tournament yesterday at the Sylhet District Stadium. Fatkhlloev Fatkhullo, captain of Tajikistan, scored the first goal in the middle of the first half. Turunov Komron sealed the victory by the scoring in the 70th minute.

Tajikistan took control of the match within a few minutes of the first whistle and went very close to an early breakthrough. They displayed a better leevl of skills, speed and sound technique than the Nepal team.

The central Asian side could have taken the lead in the seventh minute when Fatkhlloev Fatkhullo sent an inch-perfect cross inside the penalty box from the left wing. But Muhammad Jon Rahimov's powerful header

was brilliantly clawed away by Nepalese goalkeeper Bikesh Khuthu.

Tajikistan finally took the lead in the 26th minute when the onrushing Ergasheve Jahongir received a pass from  Fatkhlloev Fatkhullo inside the area.

But the Nepalese defender Ananta Tamang made a bad tackle from behind and the Chinese referee awarded a penalty.

Fatkhlloev fired home the spot kick (1-0). Trailing by 0-1, Nepal executed some good moves and put Tajikistan under pressure. But they could not finish their moves. Dinesh Rajbanshi failed to shoot the ball into the net from the penalty area in the 50th minute.

Surviving a flurry of attack by Nepal after the break, Tajikistan eventually regained  their rhythm and doubled the advantage in the 70th minute through a good combination between Nazarov Akhtam and Fatkhlloev.

The latter sent a lob inside the area and Turunov Komron, one of the substitutes, sent the ball into the goal with a good header (2-0).

The rest of the match was under Takistan’s control. Nepal tried hard to score, but could not trouble the opponent’s keeper even for once.

BANGABANDHU GOLD CUP

Tajikistan beat Nepal 2-nil

Defending champions Nepal suffered a big blow in their opening match as they went down to Tajikistan by 2-0 in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football Tournament yesterday at the Sylhet District Stadium. Fatkhlloev Fatkhullo, captain of Tajikistan, scored the first goal in the middle of the first half. Turunov Komron sealed the victory by the scoring in the 70th minute. Tajikistan took control of the match within a few minutes of the first whistle and went very close to an early breakthrough. They displayed a better leevl of skills, speed and sound technique than the Nepal team. The central Asian side could have taken the lead in the seventh minute when Fatkhlloev Fatkhullo sent an inch-perfect cross inside the penalty box from the left wing. But Muhammad Jon Rahimovs powerful header was brilliantly clawed away by Nepalese goalkeeper Bikesh Khuthu. Tajikistan finally took the lead in the 26th minute when the onrushing Ergasheve Jahongir received a pass from Fatkhlloev Fatkhullo inside the area. But the Nepalese defender Ananta Tamang made a bad tackle from behind and the Chinese referee awarded a penalty. Fatkhlloev fired home the spot kick (1-0). Trailing by 0-1, Nepal executed some good moves and put Tajikistan under pressure. But they could not finish their moves. Dinesh Rajbanshi failed to shoot the ball into the net from the penalty area in the 50th minute. Surviving a flurry of attack by Nepal after the break, Tajikistan eventually regained their rhythm and doubled the advantage in the 70th minute through a good combination between Nazarov Akhtam and Fatkhlloev. The latter sent a lob inside the area and Turunov Komron, one of the substitutes, sent the ball into the goal with a good header (2-0). The rest of the match was under Takistans control. Nepal tried hard to score, but could not trouble the opponents keeper even for once.