Bangladesh colts are off to a fine start in the AFC Under 19 Championship qualifiers, beating Sri Lanka 2-0 in their Group A opener.
The hosts won the match with two second-half goals from Mannaf Rabbi and Masuk Miah at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Friday.
Bangladesh had their first real chance in the 21st minute when Sri Lankan goalie Rishad Mohammed parried away Md Ibrahim’s header before holding on to the rebound shot from Rohit Sakar.
Rishad came to the rescue again when he parried away a powerful shot from Rohit right after the break.
Bangladesh finally broke the deadlock in the 67th minute.
Ibrahim swung in a free kick into the left corner of the box where Rohit blazed in a volley that was blocked by the Sri Lankan defence. Rabbi, who was left unmarked, latched on to the loose ball and sent it into the back of the net.
Sri Lanka came close to an equaliser in the 77th minute but Dilip Kurukulasuriyaage fired wide from a comfortable position in the box.
Bangladesh doubled the lead when Masuk converted a spot-kick in the 82nd minute.
The referee awarded the penalty when Ibrahim’s shot was handled by Sri Lanka captain Danushaka Madusanka.
Uzbekistan obliterated Bhutan 7-0 in the first match of the day to go top of the group on goal difference. Bangladesh will take on Bhutan in the next match on Sunday.
The group champions and the best five runners up will play in the main event in Bahrain in 2016. Hosts Bahrain youths will qualify automatically.
Source: bdnews24
