Bangladesh held hosts Hong Kong, China to a 1-1 draw in their fourth AFC Asian Cup qualifying match at Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday, just a week after losing to the same opposition at home.
Matt Orr gave the home side a first-half lead from the penalty spot before Rakib Hossain cancelled it out with a fine finish in the 85th minute, as Bangladesh kept their heads high against higher-ranked opponents, who were reduced to 10 men late in the second half.
Spanish head coach Javier Cabrera made three changes to the starting eleven from the previous match, bringing in defender Topu Barman and midfielders Shamit Shome and Zayyan Ahmed. Taj Uddin, Md Sohel Rana and Faysal Ahmed Fahim made way for the trio.
It was the first time Zayyan started for the men in red and green, having made his international debut as a substitute in the last match against Hong Kong, where Bangladesh lost 4-3 in a dramatic encounter.
Cabrera’s charges were determined to win, as another defeat would have ended their hopes of qualifying for the Asian Cup finals after two consecutive home losses had left them bottom of the group.
Shamit showed flashes of skill before the half-hour mark but was pulled down from behind in Hong Kong’s half, earning a free-kick that Hamza Choudhury took, only for it to be blocked by the wall.
Just like in the previous game, a defensive blunder led to Hong Kong’s opener. Tariq Kazi slipped and lost possession near the corner of the danger zone. While trying to recover the ball, he made contact with an opposing player, prompting the referee to blow the whistle and award a controversial penalty.
“Tariq said after the match that he touched the ball,” Cabrera informed.
Skipper Matt Orr converted from the spot, sending goalkeeper Mitul Marma the wrong way.
Bangladesh, however, never gave up and continued to press the hosts in search of an equaliser.
The second-half substitutes, particularly Fahamedul Islam, added sharpness to Bangladesh’s attack. Fahamedul went close in the 73rd minute but failed to connect with Saad Uddin’s cross from close range.
Hong Kong’s situation worsened soon after when defender Oliver Gerbig received a second yellow card in the 76th minute, reducing the hosts to 10 men for the remainder of the game. The dismissal gave Bangladesh a numerical advantage, and they pressed higher up the pitch with renewed confidence, sensing an opportunity to get back into the match.
Rakib Hossain finally turned things around for the visitors following a brilliant combination between two substitutes — Fahamedul and Fahim. Fahim crossed to Fahamedul, who set up Rakib for a composed finish.
Substitute Jamal Bhuiyan and his teammates continued to push for a late winner until the final whistle, while the defence, led by Hamza Choudhury, held firm to avoid another late concession.
With two draws and two defeats, Bangladesh remain bottom of the four-team group with two points, while Hong Kong lead with eight.
Only the group winners will qualify for the finals. Bangladesh have two matches remaining — one at home against India and another away to Singapore.
