Bangladesh starts SAFF mission with win against Bhutan

Bangladesh have defeated Bhutan 2-0 in their opening match of the SAFF Suzuki Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday.

Topu Barman scored from the penalty spot to make it 1-0 for Bangladesh in the third minute while Mahbubur Rahman Sufil doubled the lead in the 46th minute. 

The first half ended with Bangladesh’s only goal despite a number of attacks.

Bangladesh scored again in the second half.

In the 47th minute, forward Mahbubur Rahman Sufil ran onto a lob through on the right hand side of the box and beat the Bhutan goalkeeper with a right-footed volley across the goal.

The men in orange made several attacks at the end of the match only to be thwarted by the Bangladesh defence.

In 2016, Bangladesh lost 3-1 to Bhutan when the teams met the last time for the playoff for Asian Cup qualifiers.

With Tuesday’s victory, Bangladesh topped the group with 3 points and +2 goals while Pakistan came at second with 3 points but a goal difference of +1.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan beat Nepal 2-1 in the first match of Group A.

Muhammad Riaz scored from a penalty and Mohammad Ali Dabous scored another goal for Pakistan while Bimal Gharti Magar netted the ball for Nepal.

Bhutan and Nepal will face each other in the same venue on Thursday (Sept 6) to stay in the tournament while Bangladesh and Pakistan will lock horns at 7:00pm on the same day to secure the semi-final spot.