Bangladesh got the start they hoped for in the 5-nation SAFF Championship with a comfortable win against Sri Lanka in Male on Friday, although new head coach Oscar Bruzon will be concerned at the failure to convert their much greater possession and chances in open play into goals.
Ultimately they had to rely on a second half penalty for a 1-0 victory, after Lankan defender Duckson Puslas handled inside the box. It was Duckson’s second yellow card offense, meaning the Lankans were also down to 10 men.
Defender Topu Barman stepped up to coolly convert from the spot in the 55th minute. Sri Lanka never really looked like troubling the Bangladeshi goalkeeper, and Bruzon’s men had the 3 points they craved to start the tournament.
The Spaniard, who came to the job with extensive knowledge of Bangladeshi football after three successful years managing BPL champions Bashundhara Kings, made good on his promise of a more modern and attractive style of play in his team’s very first outing under him.
Bangladesh bossed possession (58% to 42%) throughout the match and created waves of chances, with 20 shots on goal against 9 for Sri Lanka, none of which were on target. Bangladesh had 4 shots on target.
The failure to convert more of those chances into direct threats for the Lankan goalkeeper will be an area Bruzon will surely work to improve. Although dominant in midfield, some of the play in the final third left a lot to be desired.
Bruzon will also be unhappy about the three yellow cards picked up by his players ion a game they dominated, including forward Sumon Reza. Midfielder Rakib Hossain and fullback Yeasin Arafat were the others to go in the referee’s book.
All is well that ends well though, and captain Jamal Bhuiyan certainly had no complaints after the game, hailing the hard work of his teammates and saying they want to keep improving.
The bright and adventurous football they played before the small but enthusiastic Male crowd, including a generous contingent of the expatriate Bangladeshi community in the island paradise, was a far cry from the woeful performances on a tour of Kyrgyzstan last month, where they lost all three matches under Englishman Jamie Day.
Looking increasingly bereft of ideas, and resorting to strange selection choices seemingly influenced by social media, Day was promptly relieved of his duties by the BFF soon after the team returned to Bangladesh.
Bruzon took over and promised changes in style and results. Football lovers couldn’t help but be skeptical. But the notable change in playing style clearly visible in his very first match in charge will make the football-mad nation believe it is possible. His selection policy marked an immediate departure from Day’s desperate searches. Bruzon chose his entire squad from players playing their trade currently in the domestic leagues. No unknown quantities.
Ten members of the squad also play under him at Kings.
Topu Barman was adjudged the player of the match for an outstanding all-round performance. Before scoring the penalty, Topu also came closest to scoring from open play for his team, when his guided header off a cross from Arafat was brilliantly turned behind for a corner by Sri Lankan custodian Sujan Perera.
Bangladesh’s next match will be against their strongest opponents India (Oct 4 at 5pm BdST). Fixtures against hosts Maldives (Oct 7 at 10pm) and Nepal (Oct 13 at 5pm) then follow. All games are being played at the National Stadium in Male.
Tonight at 10pm, hosts Maldives take the field against Nepal.
Source: United News of Bangladesh