Bangladesh end Three Nations Cup campaign on frustrating note
Bangladesh suffered a 1-4 goals defeat to the hosts Kyrgyzstan in their second and last match of the Three Nations Cup at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek on Tuesday night.
Kyrgyzstan, who earlier beat Palestine by 1-0 in the opener last week, lifted the title with all win record and Palestine became runners-up as they beat Bangladesh by 2-0 goals in their second match last on Sunday.
Kyrgyzstan’s Eldar Moldozhunusov, Alimardon Shukurov, Tursunali Rustamov, Baktiyar Duishobekov scored one each for the winning side in the 10th, 39th, 46th, 88th minutes respectively.
Mahbubur Rahman Sufil scored the consolation goal for the men in red and green in the 53rd minute of the game.
Bangladesh came with four changes in their previous playing eleven -- Anisur Rahman Zico, Riyadul Hasan Rafi, Mahbubur Rahman Sufil and Rahbar Wahed Khan came in the places of Sahidul Alam, Razaul Karim, Saad Uddin and Sohel Rana.
The men in red and green were well aware that their upper-ranked opponents have expertise on pressing football. Thus, they focused on defence from the beginning of the first half of the match.
However, Kyrgyzstan got the chance to take lead while they were awarded a free kick in the danger zone. Alimardon sent a flying ball to Eldar from the set-piece and the winger made no mistake to bury it correctly (1-0).
After scoring the first goal, the home continued their aggressive football and created at least two close chances.
Eldar could get another chance to double the margin, but defender Topu Barman denied the ball from a goal-line to save his team in the 17th minute.
Bangladesh also made one or two counterattacks by this time. In the 27th minute, Yeasin Arafat sent a cross to Rakib Hossain from the left flank of the box, but Kyrgyzs defender cleared the ball before Rakib could take control of it.
However, Kyrgyzstan extended the margin before half-time. Alimardon, who assisted the first goal, scored himself with a left-footer from a cutback by Kairat Izakov (2-0).
After half-time, Kyrgyzs captain Tursunali struck the third goal, off a cross from Gulzhigit Alykulov (3-0).
But Bangladesh reduced the gap after seven minutes with a consolation goal from Sufil. Long throw-expert Rahmat Mia threw the ball inside the box, but Kyrgyzs defenders headed it to Sufil. The Unmarked Bangladeshi forward seized the chance and buried the ball into the net with a grounder (3-1).
Despite having a 3-1 lead, the hosts continued their domination over Bangladesh. But defenders and goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico smartly denied all efforts.
However, the home side struck the fourth and last goal just a few minutes before the final whistle. The goal came from Baktiyar who has been playing for Sheikh Russel KC in the BPL. The Kyrgyzs midfielder put the ball home with a header, off a corner from Alimardon (4-1).
The men in red and green never won against Kyrgyzstan in their four international meets. They conceded a 0-3 goals defeat in Nehru Cup 2007, 1-2 goals defeat in an international friendly in 2008, 1-3, and 0-2 goals defeats in two FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 2015.
Bangladesh will play a friendly match against Kyrgyzstan U-23s on Thursday.
