Bangladesh defeated Bahrain 2-1 to secure their fourth consecutive win in the AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers held at the Yongchuan Sports Center Stadium in Chongqing, China on Friday
Striker Md Manik found the back of the net once again after scoring in the past three matches.
It was a ‘wonderful long kick goal’ by Manik that doubled Bangladesh’s lead in the 72nd minute, according to the match information provided by the Bangladesh Football Federation.
Skipper Nazmul Huda Faysal delivered the pass to Manik for his fifth goal in the qualifiers.
Earlier, Bayzit Bostami put Bangladesh ahead in the 59th minute following a barren first half, where Rifat Qazi missed two one-on-one opportunities. Bahrain also had couple of chances.
A long throw-in by Sabbir was cleared by a Bahrain defender. Bayzit, who also scored in the first three matches, collected the ball and kick it into the net to gave his side the breakthrough.
Bahrain pulled back in the 85th minute but it was not enough to stop Bangladesh’s winning run.
After the match, Bangladesh’s head coach Golam Rabbani Choton said, “It was a tough match for us. Bahrain is a strong team. Bangladesh boys created a history by beating them.”
The boys in red and green had defeated Timor-Leste, Brunei Darussalam and Sri Lanka by distinct margins in the first three matches scoring a total of 18 goals before Bahrain clash.
Bangladesh will conclude their group stage campaign against hosts China on Sunday.
As only group champions will advance to the main tournament in Saudi Arabia next year, the race to the Finals is now limited to Bangladesh and China only with the winners to make it.
The other four teams – Brunei, Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka and Bahrain – are out of the qualifiers.
