Bengaluru (28th June) - Bangladesh came from behind to beat Bhutan by 3-1 tonight, to confirm a place in the semifinals of the SAFF Championship. With this result, Bhutan and Maldives were eliminated from the tournament.
Bangladesh, the 2003 SAFF Champions, confirmed a place in the semifinals as the runners-up of Group B with 6 points from 3 games. Lebanon clinched top spot with 9 points.
For Bangladesh, this is the first time they have qualified for to the semifinal of the SAFF Championship since 2009.
For the Maldives, this brings the end of a disappointing tournament, as they are knocked out of the group stages of this competition for the first time in their history.
Bhutan ended the tournament of the group with 3 defeats.
Bangladesh will face group A winners Kuwait in the first semifinal on Saturday, while group B winners Lebanon play against defending champions India in the 2nd semifinal on Saturday night.
In the match played in Sree Kantreeva stadium in Bengaluru tonight, Bhutan stunned the favorites Bangladesh when Tshelthrim Namgyel scored in the 12th minute to give them the lead.
Bhutan almost doubled their lead 6 minutes later with Nima Wangdi’s long range effort but he was denied by the crossbar.
In the 22nd minute, Bangladesh levelled the score when Shekh Morsalin’s strike from outside the box found the back of the net.
Bangladesh took the lead in the 31st minute when Rakib Hussain’s cut back was deflected off Bhutan defender Phuntsho Jigme and went in to the back of the net.
Before the break, Bangladesh grabbed a third goal when converted in the 36th minute.
