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Bangladesh meets Iraq in Asian football |
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July 11, 2000
Dhaka (UNB)- Bangladesh faces the real acid test when it takes on Asian giant Iraq in the last group-4 qualifiers match of the 32nd Asian Youth Under-19 Football Championship today (Tuesday). The battle kicks off at 6pm at the floodlit Rajshahi Stadium to decide who will set foot in the final round of the championship to be held in Iran. Both the teams will come out on the field with unbeaten notes as they beat other participants -- Nepal and Maldives -- in the previous matches. But the Asian titan Iraq is in a better position for the tomorrow's encounter in terms of goal difference as they earned huge marginal victories in the previous outings. The Gulf team crushed Nepal by 7-0 goals in their opening encounter and outplayed the islanders by 6-0 goals while Bangladesh beat Nepal 4-1 and defeated Maldives 2-0. The host team has no alternative, but to win the battle against the mighty opponents to reach the final round as Iraq only needs a draw to enter into their neighbouring country. This will be a tough task for the home-side booters to bring the results in their favour because the Gulf team has already proved their superiority in the tournament with flurry of goals. The Iraqi booters, who have more physical advantage against all opponents in the tournament, shaped the previous match in a lopsided affair. Although the Bangladeshi young booters made an impressive start in their opening match, they frustrated the local fans in the previous match against the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal. In the previous matches, the Bangladeshi forwards spoiled a lot of opportunities because of their poor finishing. Coach Abu Yousuf expressed dissatisfaction over the show against Nepal and said the players should improve their performance to win the match against mighty Iraq. Undoubtedly, Iraq is the favourite for the tomorrow's battle, but it's also true that they will have to play against the home crowd in the northern city. The day's another match between Nepal and Maldives will start at 4pm at the same venue. |