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Bangladesh
doesn’t lose to powerful Iraq |
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July 12, 2000
Rajshahi (UNB)- Iraq emerged unbeaten group champions to reach the finals of the 32nd Asian Youth Under-19 Football Championship making a 1-1 tamed draw with host Bangladesh here yesterday (Tuesday). In the day’s last group match, both the teams secured seven points each, but the Asian titans Iraq clinched the group title by better goal difference. Iraq scored fourteen goals in total conceding one against Bangladesh who scored six conceding two goals. Iraq will now play in the 12-team final round scheduled for October in their neighbouring Iran. The jam-packed floodlit stadium in the northern city got extremely electrified when Rukunuzzaman Kanchan header kissed the Iraqi net, first time in the tournament to hit the Gulf country’s fort. Opportunist striker Kachan smoothly conducted the ball with his head from an acute right-foot center off captain Manwar Hossain, which romped home touching Iraqi custodian’s hand in the 25th minute of the game. But the euphoric moment of the local crowds shattered into shards when substitute Iraqi winger Ahmed Abbas leveled the score in the 26th minute of the second half driving the ball with his back in goal-mouth melee. The home side displayed entertaining soccer in the first half to the entire satisfaction of the football fans at the big bowl and millions of TV viewers. Host custodian Titumir, who was later adjudged man of the match, played a heroic role performing his best to save the castle foiling opposition forays in the entire match. Bangladesh made some good attacks with a nice combination of Tito and Kanchan that created threat to the Gulf fort before the lemon break. The Asian titans who earned appreciation from the local fans scoring thirteen goals in the previous two matches displaying an excellent show yesterday failed to keep their usual skill in the first half.
With deficit of one goal, the Iraqis also looked misfires in the second half, but luck smiled on them and they equalized the margin in the 26th minute of the second half. The Gulf team, who made previous matches as goal feast, yesterday failed to control midfield and lunched the attacks erratically. At the last minute of the match, a fierce shot of Ahmed Adwan deflected from the bar that was later gripped by home side custodian Titumir. Bangladeshi booters also lost their rhythm in the second half and looked in a defensive mood. Yellow cards: Asadur Rahman and Tanveer Chowdhury (Bangladesh), Sameeh S Amir (Iraq).
Teams: Iraq: Abdul Zahra Majhool, Emad M Ridha, Haider A Al Razik Hussein, Hassan T Atea, Sameeh S Amir, Basim A Kati, Ahmad I Adwan, Jassim M Kilam, Abdul Hassan Khudhair, Munaim Y Ibrahim and Mohammad N Shiltag. Bangladesh: Titumir Chowdhury, Aminul Rahman, Rezaul Karim Biplob, Mahmudul Hasan, Firoz Mahmud Tito, Manwar Hossain , Tanveer Chowdhury, Asadur Rahman (Nurul Islam), Jahan-e-Alam Rahel, Maksudul Alam Bulbul and Rukunuzzaman Kanchan. Referee: T Ekachai (Thailand). |