AT LONG LAST: Bangladesh striker Enamul Haque (R) is chased by his teammates after he has just scored the all-important goal against Cambodia during their opening AFC Challenge Cup Group-A qualifying match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. It was Bangladesh's first victory in three years.Photo: Anisur Rahman

A late strike from Enamul Haque gave Bangladesh a much-needed winning start in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
From the get go, Dido's boys started to terrorise the opponents territory but squandered chance after chance before Enamul broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute to electrify the sparse crowd in the big bowl under lights.
The Farashganj striker headed Bangladesh home from handshaking distance that came his way from a Mamun free kick to make sure that Bangladesh won their first international match after a three-year and 25-match hiatus.
They had their last victory against Guam (3-0) in April 2006 in the same competition in Dhaka.
Under the guidance of Brazilian coach Edson Silva Dido, the hosts not only served up an attacking brand of football against their South East Asian opponents but also showed rare signs of fitness all through the match under the scorching heat.
On their way to making the final round berth, there was no other choice than winning the first game in the Group A qualifiers and that was the reason the lean and slender Brazilian looked tense with anxiety at the tent while his charges failed to close out the match.
But at the end he was the happiest man although the score-line hardly showed about the dominance of his boys in the one-sided match.
"At first I congratulate Cambodia for putting up a splendid fight that made us bounce to bring our best. I am happy with the way the boys played the match," said the excited Dido, who made a winning start as a Bangladesh coach.
"At the end of the day winning is everything. Missing chances is part of the game," he responded on his team's squandering too many chances.
Bangladesh could have taken the lead as early as the second minute if match hero Enamul's brilliant back volley didn't fly inches away from the cross piece and then Brothers Union winger Atiqur Rahman Mishu, who was tireless all through the match to produce some good chances for the strikers, Emon and few others tried from long-range to break the stalemate but Cambodian goalkeeper Samreth was brilliant under the bar.
In the first half, Cambodia failed to create a single chance rather Mamun was very close to put Bangladesh ahead but his header was saved by Tieng Tiny from goalline.
After the breather the home side got an early chance to draw blood in the match but Mamunul Islam frustrated the crowd as he executed a fragile shot one-to-one with the opponents goalkeeper.
Cambodia however looked much better in the second half and Sam El Nasa got a good chance to win the match against the tide but his right-footer inside the box flew away inches from the cross piece in open net.
But then again Bangladesh spoiled few good chances as Manik's shot was saved by the opponents goalie and defender Lay Raksmey rescued his side by making a goalline save of Mishu's header.
Bangladesh however survived a late scare but Wali Faisal brought the relief as he made a goalline save by foiling the header of Kouch to keep the 1-0 lead intact while Enamul missed a chance in the dying moment to improve the scoreline.
Dido was courageous enough to include four newcomers in the match and he was happy with the debutantes' performance.
"May be the four debutant are weak mentally but there is no doubt about their quality and skill," said Dido when asked to comment on his four first-time players--Emon Mahmud, Mamun Miah, Nasir and Mezbabul Haq Manik.
Cambodia coach Prak Sovannara said that it could have been different story if his side could have capitalised on an early chance.
"Unlucky because they also got chances and an early strike could have changed the scenario. I am happy as my boys never gave up the fight in the entire match," said Prak.
Yellow cards: Arman, Mamunul and Manik (Bangladesh), Sovannarith (Cambodia).
TEAMS
BANGLADESH: Aminul, Nasir, Mamun Miah, Rajani, Arman, Faisal, Mamunul (Parvez), Meshu, Manik, Emon (Zahid) and Enamul.
CAMBODIA: Samreth Seiha, Kim Chan Bunrith, Lay Raksmey, Tieng Tiny, Pok Chan Than, Khim Borey (Keo Sokngorn), Teab Vathanak (Khuon Laboravy), Kouch Sokumpheak, San Narith (Ly Ravy), Sovannarith and Sam El Nasa.
Referee: Saeid Mozaffari (Iran).