The Bengal Tigers dropped two points in the opening game of the SAFF Championship after Pakistan produced a fighting performance in the opening match of the event.
The SAFF Championship opener saw tournament favourites Bangladesh being held by Pakistan at the Jawaharlal Lal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, in a group B match. Pakistan started with their foreign based players in Atif Bashir and Adnan Ahmed while Bangladesh preferred to start with his third choice goalkeeper in Sahidul Alam. It was Pakistan who had the first shy on goal as Atif Bashir’s attempt saw goalkeeper Alam beaten all ends out as early as the second minute. Bangladesh looked to play along the ground and build the match from the back. The Tigers did earn a couple of free-kicks in the opposition’s half though goalkeeper Jafar Khan was up to the task.
Around the 40th minute, Jadeed Khan Pathan once again was the provider of a decent cross which Saddam Hussain, under no pressure, sent it over. Bangladesh recovered before the end of the first half when Pranotosh Das’ long ranger saw Jafar Khan fumble before the ball was cleared. Star striker Jahid Hassan Ameli had a couple of opportunities to make it 1-0 after Islam Maun’s header came off the crossbar.
Bangladesh substituted two strikers for Mithun Chowdhury and Atiqur Meshu. The move looked to have paid dividends as Meshu brought in the much needed pace and sent him some tantalizing crosses from the left. Pakistan could have nudged ahead when Jadeed Khan Pathan’s flick was just about cleared on time to keep the scores level.
Meshu and Mithun combined as the former’s cross from the left saw the latter’s first time volley being punched away for a corner by the rival custodian. The match ended with the same scoreline as neither of the teams managed to get a breakthrough. The man of the match award was handed to Jafar Khan of Pakistan.