Lankans thrash SAG champs B’desh

by Leslie Fernando

FOOTBALL: It was a different Sri Lanka team which took the field yesterday. Right from the kick-off they showed their mastery and exserted pressure on Bangladesh, the gold medal winner in the 11th South Asian Games in Dhaka to register a comfortable 3 goals to nil win in the Group 'A' match of the AFC Challenge Cup played at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

Despite Sri Lanka achieving this victory they bowed out of from the final round. Bangladesh are also out of the tournament.

Sri Lanka forwards Kaiz, Naduka Izzadeen and Rahuman were prominent in their attack while their defence was tight and didn't allow much chances to their rivals.

From the outset Sri Lanka strikers showed their superiority and pounced on the rivals who were forced to adopt a defensive game. With better ball control, speed and constructive play the forwards mesmerised the rival defence.

Sri Lanka surged ahead in the 6th minute with Kaiz Mohamed Shstraz beating the Bangladesh keeper M. Aminul with a clever goal 1-0. In the next few minutes Sri Lanka had yet another chance to increase the lead, but M. Izzadeen failed to find the net from close range. Bangladesh did not live up to much expectations.

They never made any combined raids on the Lankan goal. In the 31st minute Kaiz Mohamed who went on a solo after collecting a snap pass to hit the net. Bangladeshi keeper advanced hurriedly and was involved in a deliberate foul on Kaiz and the referee had no hesitation and showed the Red Card to Aminul and also an added a free kick. Chathura Guneratne driving kick beat the keeper to give Sri Lanka 2-0.

Biplob Bhattacharjee came in as the substitute goal keeper and Bangladesh played with ten men from the 32nd minute to the end.

At the breather Sri Lanka led 2-0.

After the turn around Bangladesh attacked vehemently, but Sri Lanka defenders put up a stout-hearted display foiling several goal bound moves.

Bangladesh suffered three scoring opportunities. It was brave goal keeping by Asanka Viraj which deprived Bangladesh goal scoring opportunities. In the closing 78 minute of the game Sri Lanka added yet another goal through Shanmugaraja Sanjeev. Malik Migara was the culprit when he missed a sitter in the dying minute of the game.

Bangladesh earned five corners while Sri Lanka one. Malik Migara of Sri Lanka was shown the Yellow Card.

Referee: Mahapab Chaiya of Thailand controlled the game.

After CR & FC grounds Tajikistan beat Myanmar by 3 goals to nil.