Bangladesh earned a crucial point in their Asian Cup qualifier return leg in Hong Kong, staging a late comeback to secure a 1-1 draw thanks to an 84th-minute strike from forward Rakib Hossain. The result keeps the visitors’ slim hopes of advancing alive.
Javier Cabrera named Zayyan Ahmed, who had made his debut in the previous match, in the starting XI alongside midfielder Shamit Shome. Hong Kong started brightly, creating early chances. In the 11th minute, a promising attack was stopped by Topu Barman, and three minutes later a counter-attack was halted for offside.
In the 20th minute, Hong Kong won a free-kick just outside the D-box, with Leon Jones’ header well saved by Mitul Marma. Bangladesh had their own free-kick moments later, but Hamza Chowdhury’s powerful effort went wide.
Hong Kong continued to press throughout the first half. In the 27th minute, Topu cleared another danger from a free-kick, and two minutes later a corner led to a foul by Zayyan Ahmed, though no further threat materialised. The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when Kazi Tariq fouled Fernando Pedreira inside the D-box, and Hong Kong captain Matt Orr converted the resulting penalty, putting the hosts 1-0 up. Bangladesh pressed for an equaliser before half-time but could not score.
The second half saw Bangladesh dominate possession. In the 51st minute, Saad Uddin found himself in front of goal but failed to beat the goalkeeper. Around ten minutes later, Bangladesh narrowly avoided conceding on a counter-attack. In the 68th minute, Fahamedul’s close-range attempt was blocked by the Hong Kong keeper.
Bangladesh kept pushing forward. In the 71st minute, Jamal Bhuiyan was left unmarked in front of goal but could not convert, and two minutes later Saad Uddin’s cross was missed by Fahamedul.
The equaliser came in the 84th minute after Hong Kong’s Oliver Benjamin received a second yellow card, leaving his team with ten players. Bangladesh capitalised on the numerical advantage as Rakib Hossain scored to level the match. Despite a few further chances, neither side could find a winner, and the game ended 1-1.
