Bangladesh reached half-time level at 1-1 against San Marino in their FIFA friendly at San Marino Stadium, Serravalle on Friday, in the first match Bangladesh have played against a European side on European soil. Thomas Dooley’s first game in charge ended the first half with the scores level after Topu Barman’s header and a San Marino counter put both teams back to square.
Bangladesh began in a 4-3-3 and pressed forward from early on. Faisal Ahmed Fahim and Saad Uddin looked to put San Marino under pressure on the flanks, and captain Jamal Bhuyan showed sharp understanding in the midfield trio alongside Hamza Choudhury and Sohel Rana Senior. A Jamal shot was blocked in the 17th minute, and two minutes later Bangladesh took the lead.
Sheikh Morsalin swung in a cross and Topu Barman met it with a firm header to beat the San Marino goalkeeper, giving Bangladesh a historic lead on European soil.
San Marino cancelled it out in the 31st minute. Filippo Berardi cut through the Bangladesh defence with a pass and forward Nicolas Giacopetti finished past Mitul Marma to restore parity.
The game turned more physical after the equaliser. Rafiqul Islam, returning to the starting XI after two years away, picked up a yellow card for a foul in the 33rd minute.
Bangladesh kept pushing. Saad Uddin found space inside the box in the 37th minute but his shot drifted wide of the target. Dooley’s side controlled possession through the closing stages of the half and pressed for a second goal, but San Marino’s defence held firm.
