Bangladesh moves into semifinal

Bangladesh reached the semifinal of the Bangabandhu 6th SAFF Championship as the Group B champions beating Sri Lanka in their last group match by 2-1 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday.
The hosts Bangladesh started the match with a bang producing a flurry of attacks and  got the breakthrough in the seventh minute with Uzzal initiating the run through left side which Emily cut back and sent to Enamul who slotted home the beginner (1-0).
Inspired by the early strike, the hosts afterward kept on their impressive show with a combined effort and set off another attack in the 18th minute with Mehedi Hasan Uzzal sending the ball from the right side to onrushing Zahid Parvej who missed the target for just a few inches of the crosspiece.
Another moment came for the Red and Greens’ way in the 31st minute. This time Uzzal, undoubtedly the best performer of the team, opened the attack by crossing the ball which Rajani failed to utilise as he lost control on himself.
Trailing 0-1, Sri Lanka also were working hard to bounce back and came to equalise the margin in the 42nd minute while Channa converted a free kick from top of box breaking the Bangladesh wall  to leave the first half (1-1).
Bangladeshi boys, who fielded with only target to win the match, appeared more aggressive and forced the opponents to be defensive with a few scary attacks and restored the lead in the 65th minute. Zahid floated a superb right side cross, but Sri Lankan custodian missed as the ball came to Enamul way who volleyed it into the nets (2-1).
The lead again energised the boys to fire up more and they came closer twice to score goals. In the 87th minute Maldives’ referee Adil Ali disallowed a goal scored by Mithun with a wonderful volley on a Kamol cross.
In the post match briefing, Bangladesh coach Shahidur Rahman Shanto and the trainer of Sri Lanka team Samiath Parera praised Bangladesh’s performance although Sri Lanka trainer gave credit to his boys for their fighting spirit against the hosts.
“Bangladesh tried their best to win the match as they badly needed the victory and our boys also did not leave the opponents unmarked,” Parera said to the newsmen. The Sri Lankan, in reply to a query, said, “The margin could be different if six of my regular boys were fielded. All of them could not make it to the ground due to injury.”
Shanto said, “I think the match was excited one because both the teams fought well and especially our midfield put on better performance than their previous matches.”