Nine days before the start of the SAFF Football Championship, the Bangladesh national football team suffered a morale-shattering 2-1 defeat to Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Wednesday. Sheikh Jamal, who began their pre-season preparation camp just three days ago, dominated proceedings throughout the entire duration of the practice match.
Haitian forwards Wedson Anselme and Sony Norde gave Sheikh Jamal a 2-0 lead before national team substitute midfielder Mithun Chowdhury reduced the deficit.
The national side played well in the first twenty minutes but put on a lacklustre display for the rest of the game. Sheikh Jamal coach Joseph Afusi opted to play on the counter-attack and his strategy succeeded.
Anselme, who arrived in the country four days ago, impressed his coach by
bagging the first goal for the Dhanmondi-based outfit after a fine through-pass from Alamgir Kabir Rana from the right wing, thumping the ball past national goalkeeper Mamun Khan into the back of the net.
Alamgir provided another through-pass to Norde after halftime and the Haitian playmaker placed the ball nicely after knocking the ball past the onrushing keeper.
Mithun found a consolation goal at the end of the game with a powerful attempt from the edge of the box.
National midfielder Atikur Rahman Mishu, who came on as a substitute for captain Mamunul Islam in the latter stages of the practice match, was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in a short space of time.
-With New Age input
