A late goal by Topu Barman helped Bangladesh to earn a solitary goal victory over Pakistan in the SAFF Suzuki Cup group A match held on Thursday at Bangabandhu National Stadium here.
With this, Bangladesh topped the group A table with six two matches and they are only one step far from semifinal while Pakistan remained at their previous credit three points playing the same number of matches.
Bangladesh will play their group final match against Nepal and a draw will be enough for the boys in red and green barge them to the last four berth while Pakistan also have chance to go into the last four and in that case they must have to win against in their group final match against Bhutan on Saturday (September 8).
Pakistan deprived of a certain goal in the very 7th minute when striker Muhammad Ali’s header from inside the danger zone went out of play after kissing the cross bar.
Bangladesh got their first scoring chance in the 29th minute when Saad Uddin’s powerful long range shot went out of play beside the side bar.
Bangladesh again missed another scoring chance in the 42nd minute. This time Mahbubur Rahman right footed shot from more than 35 yards narrowly missed the target.
After the resumption, both Bangladesh and Pakistan tried to break the deadlocks launching attacks and counter attacks.
Pakistan missed their second coring chance in the 55th minute. Taking a lofty pass from near midfield Mohammad Ali ran down and took a right footer angular shot from the centre of the box but the attempt was nicely saved by Bangladesh custodian Shahidul Alam.
Topu Barmon finally broke the deadlocks for Bangladesh in the 85th minute. His close-range header to the bottom right corner gave no chance to Pakistani custodian Yousuf Ijaz Butt to react under the bar.
Jamal Bhuyan must consider him as unlucky as his right footed shot off Bishwnath Ghosh pass from outside the box narrowly missed the target in the dying moment of the match.
Bangladesh played a dominating football although the proceeding especially, in the second half, and notched their deserving victory while Pakistan also got scoring chances but they deprived from goal lack of proper finishing.
Earlier, Bangladesh beat Bhutan by 2-0 goals while Pakistan defeated Nepal by 2-1 goals in both their respective group opening matches.
Friday’s match: The Maldives vs Sri Lanka (7 pm).
