Hosts Bangladesh moved to the semi-finals of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup as Group-A runners-up thanks to a narrow 1-0 win over Sri Lanka at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Monday. Midfielder Hemantha Vincent, the revelation of the tournament, scored the all important goal in the 40th minute while goalkeeper Shahidul Alam had a penalty saved to ensure Bangladesh win.The margin could not indicate Bangladesh’s dominance in the game, especially in the first half when they really played well.
Hemantha, the 18-year old FC Twente-trained attacking-midfielder, who also played well during the losing battle against Malaysia-Under-23s, was terrific at times that was too much for Sri Lanka to handle.
Apart from Hemantha — Mamunul Islam, Shohel Rana, Zahid Hossain and Jamal Bhuiyan, – all gave their best as Bangladesh took the control of the midfield right from the word go.
Bangladesh initiated the first real attack in the 11th minute, receiving a long ball from Mamunul Islam, Zahid Hossain dribbled past a Lankan defender to enter the danger zone before his shot went straight to the keeper.
Defender Suranda Bandara rescued Sri Lanka with a clearance in the 32nd minute when Raihan delivered a long throw from the right and Sohel Rana’s attempt was cleared by Bandara for a corner.
The home side, however, broke the deadlock soon.
Zahid delivered a cross to find Ameli at the edge of the box who chested down the ball for Hemantha, who volleyed home past Lankan keeper Sujan Perera from 20-yard out.
Jamal produced a terrific cross from the right-flank in the dying seconds of the first-half added time but Lankan keeper made a stunning save to deny Ameli.
Sri Lanka coach Nikola Kavazovic tired to change the tempo of the game by making two changes in the second-half and left Bangladesh somewhat subdued in the second half.
Hemantha attempted his second goal in the 53rd minute as he dribbled past two defenders before taking a grounder after receiving a through from Zahid but Lankan keeper made no mistake to grip it.
Sohel Rana produced a neat cross from the left-flank in the hour mark but Lankan defender Thahindu cleared the ball before it reached Ameli.
Bangladesh conceded a penalty in 65th minute when goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel fouled a Sri Lankan player inside the box. Sohel, who was playing his first match in the tournament, atoned for his mistake by saving the penalty.
He jumped to his left to ward off substitute midfielder Roshan’s spot-kick but the ball rebounded
to a Sri Lankan player who almost headed it home. But Sohel was
back in his position quickly to grip the ball and deny Sri Lanka the equaliser.
Receiving a pass of Jamal Bhuiyan, Hemantha skipped past two defenders and Lankan keeper in the 85th minute before taking angular shot but Eranga was there to clear it.
Bangladesh will now have to wait on the today’s match between Bahrain Under-23 team and Thailand Under-23 team to know who will be their opponents for the February 6 semi-finals.
-With New Age input
