Dhaka:Substitute Mohammad Ibrahim delivered a crucial second-half goal to secure Bangladesh's 1-0 victory over Bhutan in the opening match of the SAFF Championship at the National Stadium.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Ibrahim entered the field as a substitute and scored the winning goal in the 69th minute. He successfully converted a cross from Zayyan with a volley, overcoming Bhutan's goalkeeper Zangpo.
Bangladesh's victory was marked by their dominance in possession throughout the first half, though they struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Rakib Hossain was notably active on the right flank, attempting to break through Bhutan's defensive strategies, while Bishwanath Ghosh, playing as a striker, came close to scoring with a header.
Initially, Bhutan maintained a strong defensive stance, but their confidence grew after the 30th minute, led by captain Chencho Gyeltshen's efforts. Despite this, the first half ended goalless, with Bangladesh unable to convert their territorial advantage into a lead.
The match saw Bangladesh's Bishwanath Ghosh taking on an unconventional role as a striker, following his absence from the ASEAN Cup due to injury. Additionally, a last-minute lineup change occurred when defender Topu Barman was injured during the warm-up, leading to Quazem Shah stepping in and Jamal Bhuyan assuming the captaincy.
Bangladesh is set to face Sri Lanka in their final group match on November 11 at the same venue. The team's starting lineup included Md Mehdi Hasan Sarbon as goalkeeper, along with players like Zayyan Ahmed, Tariq Kazi, and Quazem Kirmanee.