Bangladesh played the better football early on but went into half-time 1-0 down against Singapore in their second FIFA ASEAN Cup Group A match at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Monday.
Thomas Dooley made four changes to the side that lost 3-0 to Malaysia in Bangladesh’s opening match, bringing captain Jamal Bhuyan, Zidane Yousuf, Shuki Itofusa and Shekh Morsalin into the starting XI. Sohel Rana, Farhaan Ali Wahid, Shakil Ahad Topu and Fahamedul Islam dropped out.
The changes helped Bangladesh start with greater purpose. Rakib Hossain and Shuki repeatedly carried the ball towards Singapore’s penalty area during the opening 15 minutes, but Bangladesh could not turn those attacks into a shot.
Rakib came closest to creating an opportunity when he carried the ball into the box in the 15th minute, only to find nobody available for his attempted pass.
Singapore started slowly but gradually grew into the contest. They won two corners in quick succession in the 16th minute, with goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Srabon stopping Ilhan Fandi’s effort before dealing with the second corner.
Bangladesh received the first booking when Shamit Shome was cautioned in the sixth minute for pulling back Zulkifli.
Mehedi then produced an important save in the 33rd minute, blocking a dangerous free-kick from just outside the box. Tariq Kazi completed the clearance as Bangladesh survived the follow-up danger.
Singapore finally broke through two minutes later. Abdullah Noor attacked down the left and delivered a cross, which Ryan Stewart met with a header that beat Srabon.
Singapore almost doubled their advantage two minutes later when a shot from the right struck the crossbar.
Bangladesh had controlled much of the opening 15 minutes and looked more organised than in their 3-0 defeat by Malaysia. But they failed to register a shot in the first half, while Singapore managed five attempts, four on target.
The result left Bangladesh behind despite their promising start, with Singapore holding a 1-0 lead at the interval.
