Bangladesh made a perfect start in the football event of the 11th South Asian Games when the hosts handed an emphatic 3-0 defeat to two-time champions Nepal at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Midfielder Mamunul Islam gave Bangladesh a first-half lead before defender Atiqur Rahman and substitute striker Mithun Chowdhury struck one apiece to seal the fate of the game after Maldives had recorded a solitary-goal win over Bhutan, thanks to a late goal from star medio Ashfaq Ali, in the earlier match of the day.
All attention was on how Bangladesh would fare under their new Serbian coach Zoran Djordjevic with a preparation of just two weeks. But Zoran's boys not only passed the exam, but also impressed everyone with better movement, neat passing and quick response in both attack and defence, which was somewhat absent in Bangladesh's matches of the SAFF Championship.
With debutants defender Mintu Sheikh, Rezaul Karim, wingers Yousuf and Shakil Ahmed, Bangladesh got off to a vigorous start and went ahead in just the eighth minute when Shakil provided a minus for Mamunul from the left and the promising Mohammedan playmaker let loose a fierce shot from top of the box past Nepalese goalkeeper Bikash Mallah, who, later thwarted an effort from Zahid Hasan Emily in the 17th minute.
Nepal played with their usual crisp passing to threaten the Bangladesh backline which was marshalled by Wali Faisal, Nasir and debutant Mintu and Rezaul. They almost snatched an equaliser in the 25th minute when Suresh Shrestha shrugged off defender Wali to enter the right-side of the box to release an angular pass for Jumanu Rai, who however was late to shoot with only Bangladesh goalkeeper Aminul Haque to beat.
After resumption, Zoran sent on medio Zahed Parvez Chowdhury in place of SAFF Championship's highest-scorer Enamul Haque in a bid to strengthen the midfield, which looked a bit shaky in the latter part of the first-half and later on sent Mithun Chowdhury in place of the other striker Zahid Hasan Emily.
The move immediately paid dividend as Bangladesh regained control of midfield and doubled their lead in 87th minute with defender Mishu volleying on the corner taken by Mamunul.
Picking up a pass from fellow teammate, Mithun advanced into the box to beat an onrushing goalkeeper Bikash to push the ball home in the stoppage time of the second half.
"It is not easy to play the first match of any tournament. But I am happy with the way the boys performed. The opponents were an experienced side, but our boys played with their heart and it is pleasing," said Zoran after the match.
The Serbian coach also praised the home crowd whom he termed his 12th man on the ground.
In the earlier match, Ashfaq struck the all-important goal six minutes from time to give Maldives a 1-0 win over Bhutan. The winning margin could have been even greater had Nasser Mukthar not squandered a 12-yard spot-kick on the 85th minute.
TEAMS
BANGLADESH: Aminul Haque, Nasirul Islam Nasir, Wali Faisal, Mintu Sheikh Rezaul Karim, Atiqur Rahman Mishu, Yousuf (Mamun Mia), Mamunul Islam, Enamul Haque (Parvez Chowdhury), Emily (Mithun), Shakil Ahmed.
NEPAL: Bikas Mallah, Sagar Thapa, Rohit Chand, Biraj Mahrjan, Robin Shrestha, Nirajan Malla, Nirajan Khadgga, Yogesh Shrestha, Chetan Chimire (Bhola Silwal), Anil Gurang, Jamanu Rai.
Referee: Yousef Al Marzou.