Hosts Bangladesh came out of their defensive mindset to play some entertaining football but paid the price for their lack of experience as they suffered a 0-4 defeat against Jordan in their World Cup qualifying match in Dhaka on Tuesday. Much criticised for their ultra-defensive football against Australia in the previous match, which at times appeared ugly, Bangladesh finally showed their attacking ability to create several chances at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
However, they clearly lacked finishing skill that left them empty-handed in a game, which could have very different outcome than the scoreboard suggested with better striking ability of the hosts.
Jordan took full advantage of their physical and technical superiority over Bangladeshi defenders to score two goals in each half and return with a big win in the end.
Abdallah Deeb scored a brace for the visitors while Monther Abu Amara and Yaseen Bakhet scored one goal apiece to give the Arab side a much-needed win after their mundane goalless draw against Kyrgyzstan at home in the previous round.
Bangladesh head coach Lodewijk de Kruif, who returned to dug out after serving a two-match suspension, was forced to make four changes to his starting lineup that also affected the team’s harmony.
First choice goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel was left out for an ankle injury while midfielder Hemantha Vincent also missed the game due to a hamstring injury he picked up in Australia.
Russell Mahmud Liton, midfielder Monaym Khan Raju replaced them respectively while Kruif also brought in defender Atiqur Rahman Meshu and defender Yamin Ahmed Chowdhury in place of forward Enamul Haque and defender Mohammad Linkon.
With the new-look squad Bangladesh looked courageous until they suffered their first setback in 14th minute when an unnecessary handball of Meshu awarded Jordan a penalty.
Abdallah Deeb made no mistake to put Jordan ahead by converting from the spot.
Bangladesh could have leveled the margin in the 18th minute but defender Yeasin saw his header following a neat corner of Mamunul Islam flew inches wide off the bar.
Rising winger Jewel Rana looked threatening for Jordan but Zahid Hasan Ameli, who started the game as Bangladesh’s lone striker, could not complement him.
In the 32nd minute Jewel beat the opponents defense, rounded off the keeper and passed it to Ameli in the middle of the box but the striker’s shot was blocked by the keeper.
Jordan doubled their lead a minute later from the resulting counter attack when Monther Abu Amara’s powerful right-footed strike from edge of the box found the back of the net after Bakheet’s initial attempt was blocked by defender Yeasin.
Jewel wasted a great chance to reduce the margin two minutes before the break, receiving a long ball from Ameli, the speedy winger found onrushing Jordan keeper alone but his placing shot went just inches wide off the empty net.
In the second half, Bangladesh lost their concentration that helped Jordan to increase the margin with two goals within just three minutes.
Kruif sent Linkon for struggling Nasirul Islam Nasir in the 49th minute but the move backfired as the defender could do little from stopping Jordan scoring two goals in the space of two minutes.
Playmaker Deeb netted his second of the evening in the 56th minute placing home a low cross of Fadel Hasan before Bakheet struck two minutes later after breaking into the penalty area from the left side.
Forward Abdul Baten Komol replaced Meshu in 75th minute and created an instant impact initiating a couple of notable attacks but Jordan’s veteran keeper Amer Shafi denied him on both occasions.
RESULT
Bangladesh 0 v Jordan 4 (Deeb 14, 57, Monther Abu Amara 33, Bakheet 59)
-With New Age input
