Bangladesh wrote another chapter of resolute resistance under the lights in Male on Thursday, holding Afghanistan to a goalless draw in their second group-stage fixture at the Golden Jubilee International Football Tournament in the Maldives.
The four-nation tournament has been organised to mark the 75th anniversary of Maldivian independence, and Marufal Haq’s side have now taken a point from each of their opening two matches, having drawn goalless with Pakistan in their first fixture. Two points from two games leaves the qualification picture finely balanced ahead of a decisive final group match.
Bangladesh were far from passive in Male. They showed genuine intent throughout, with Rabbi Hossain Rahul posing the most consistent threat in the final third. The forward had at least two efforts that failed to find the net in the first half, as both sides went in level at the break. Afghanistan came closest to breaking the deadlock in the opening period when a shot clipped the crossbar.
The second half brought greater urgency from Bangladesh. Haq’s side asserted themselves more decisively and came agonisingly close to the lead on 56 minutes, when Rahul’s well-struck effort struck the far post and rebounded to safety. Further attacks followed but the goal would not come, and Afghanistan’s own counter-attacks were equally fruitless.
The result keeps Bangladesh’s prospects of reaching the final alive, though the margin for error is now slim. They face hosts Maldives in their final group fixture on 7 June, and nothing less than a victory will keep their chances intact.
