Kuwait prevailed in the first semi-final match of the SAFF Championship as a goal scored in extra time proved to be the game-winner at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru today. Bangladesh shown remarkable resiliency and came close to pulling off an upset in the match.
In the additional minutes of the first half of extra time, Bangladesh supporter Abdullah Al Buloushi had their hopes dashed when he scored the game-winning goal after the normal 90 minutes concluded without a goal.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s finest opportunity emerged after the halftime with a link-up play between Sheikh Morsalin and Rakib Hossain. Rakib Hossain was inches away from breaking the deadlock in the 61st minute when his effort from a restricted angle hit the bar. This was similar to the first half, in which Bangladesh’s best chance come after the break.Throughout the entirety of the game, the two forwards had been very busy assisting the defense, but they kept their eyes out for opportunities to capitalize on counterattacks.
After putting their first-choice forwards into the game in the second half, Kuwait was able to generate the bulk of scoring opportunities, which led to their final victory as the more deserved team. Despite the significant disparity in their ranks, the determined charges led by Javier Cabrera managed to maintain a compact formation and fight on equal footing throughout the match.
In the 68th minute, Cabrera was forced to make his first change. Faisal Ahmed Fahim came on to replace captain Jamal Bhuiyan, who had to be taken off the field on a stretcher.By that time, Kuwait has undergone five different transformations.
Almost soon, Kuwait was presented with a handful of opportunities to take the initiative. First, their No. 10 Shabib Al Khaldi had the wrong timing for a volley from inside the box, and then their goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico stopped another replacement, Mohammad Abdul Daham.Zico once again came to the team’s rescue in the 74th minute by making a reflex save with one hand.
After then, both teams had opportunities to score, but despite the fact that there were seven minutes of overtime, neither of them was able to do so. The extra time saw Kuwait come out with a heightened level of intensity, but Bangladesh’s goalkeeper Zico was outstanding, making a number of outstanding stops to keep his team in the game.
After everything was said and done, Kuwait were able to break the deadlock as right-back Al Buloushi delivered a controlled finish at the bottom far post, hitting between the legs of Tapu Barman to leave Zico stranded. This occurred in the last moments of the match, when the prospect of tiebreakers was approaching.
The remaining time saw Bangladesh try to equalize, but Kuwait’s defense proved to be a difficult nut for the passionate men in red and green to break.