The Bangladesh Army Football team’s run in the Durand Cup finished yesterday when they tied 0-0 with Punjab FC of the Indian Super League in their third and final group game at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
After losing 5-0 to Mohun Bagan SG and drawing 2-2 with East Bengal FC, Bangladesh Army needed to win this game to stay in the event.
In one of the longest football events in the world, the last eight teams are made up of the group winners and the two best runners-up from each of the six groups.
Before the game started, Bangladesh Army coach Abdur Razzak said that the tie was important for them and that they wanted to leave the field with a win, but they had to settle for a respectable draw against former I-League champions Punjab.
In the second half, Razzak’s players had a few good chances, and Bangladesh Army goalie Ashraful Islam Rana made a lot of great saves. In the end, the game ended in a goalless tie, and Bangladesh Army finished the event with two draws against ISL teams.