Sri Lanka shined lately as they stunned Malaysia with clinching a 2-1 goal victory in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football tournament at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The win of Sri Lanka meant that Bangladesh and Nepal will automatically move into the semifinals as both of them earned four points each from their first two matches.
With this unexpected defeat the defending champions were eliminated from the tournament managing only three points.       
Sri Lanka, despite ousted from the preliminary stage before this match after conceding defeats in their previous two matches, lived up in the group last match to have a consolation victory.   
Malaysia badly needed to win the match against Sri Lanka to book their place in the semifinal as they drew both the previous matches against Bangladesh and Nepal. Being the day’s favourites Malaysia could not put any impact in the opening session but were playing with under pressure as Sri Lanka took the lead right on 20th minute.
Bandara put Sri Lanka into lead when he made a clinical finish of a counter attack when he got the ball possession from a Sanjeeva left side cross (1-0).
Malaysia, who played all out strategy right from the first whistle as it was do or die encounter for them to ensure a semifinal place, could have levelled the margin on 36th minute but substitute Bobby Gonzales volley on Devasangyam shattered the cross piece.
Taking the advantages of Malaysian’s all out technique, Sri Lanka continued their counter attack strategy and doubled the lead on 63rd minute with Sanjeeva sending the ball into the net from a close distance (2-0).
Trailing by 0-2, Malaysia became more attacking to squeeze Sri Lanka and reduced one goal though Fazly Alias (2-1).