Bangladesh suffered a frustrating 1-0 defeat to visiting Maldives in the first of the two-match FIFA Friendlies held at Bashundhara Kings Arena in the City on Wednesday.
Bangladesh took control of the match form the very beginning but probably lady luck did not smite for Bangladesh because despite getting repeated scoring opportunities in the entire preceding the host failed to fight back in the match after trailing the first half by 1-0 goal.
Credit must goes to Maldives custodian Hussen Shareef who frustrated the Bangladesh forwards foiling several certain scoring chances, especially in the second half.
Maldives found the net in the 18th minute. Unmarked Ali Fasir sent the ball with a close header from the handshake distance capitalizing on a free kick from Hamja Mohamed giving no chance to custodian Mitul Marma under the bar.
In the next minute, Bangladesh came close to sore following a counter attack but Sohel Rana's left footer shot from top of the D box went harmlessly over the cross bar.
Bangladesh again came close of scoring in the 30th minute. This time Isa Faisal provided a cross to Faisal Ahmed Fahim from the left flank, but he failed to keep the ball on target as the ball went out of play beside the left side bar.
Bangladesh continued to press pressure to equalize the margin. Forward Rakib Hossain took a powerful shot from the close range off Faisal pass but the ball went out of play after deflecting the body of a Maldives defender in the 33rd minute.
Bangladesh deprived from another certain goal in the 44th minute. Sohel Rana must be considers him as unlucky as his left footer powerful shot from the long range returned to play after hitting the left side bar following a corner kick taken by Morsalin from the right flank.
After the resumption, Bangladesh continued onslaught to stage a fight back in the match creating several scoring chances, but they failed to convert any in the remaining proceeding.
Bangladesh deprived from another goal in the 70th minute when Shahriar Emon header from the vantage position narrowly missed the target.
In the 74th minute, substitute Mijibor Rahman Jony's powerful shot from inside the D box was brilliantly saved by Maldives custodian Hussain Shareef.
Bangladesh also got couple of scoring chances in the dying moment but Hussain Shareef frustrated the Bangladeshi forward with his extra ordinary skill.
Bangladesh played good football compared to Maldives in the whole proceeding but could score any goal and eventually they had to leave the field with empty hand.
The second and ultimate match of the series will be held on November 16 at the same venue.
Bangladesh squad - Topu Barman (captain), Md Ridoy, Sheikh Morsalin, Rakib Hossain, Foysal Ahmed Fahim, Mitul Marma, Shakil Ahad Topu, Sohel Rana, Isa Faisal, Syed Shah Quazem Kirmanee and Sadd Uddin.
