Bangladesh began their qualification round of the Asian Cup with 2-0 defeat to Bahrain in the two sides' Group E openers at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur today.

Two first-half goals from Ali Haram and Karim Al Wasad ensured a comfortable victory for the favourites Bahrain, who were on course for a huge victory but Bangladesh goal-keeper Anisur Rahman Zico denied several goal-scoring opportunities.

The only time Bangladesh came close to scoring in the game was when a Jamal Bhuiyan free kick in the 31st minute narrowly missed the side post. Ahead of the game, the Bangladesh captain was upbeat of springing a surprise on Bahrain, who are 99 places ahead of Bangladesh in the FIFA Rankings.

But given how the game unfolded, Jamal and Co could still find some consolation in conceding none in the second half, and in matching the score-line of the last and only time Bangladesh met the mighty Bahrain 43 years ago when the men in red and green lost 2-0 in the President's Cup football tournament in 1979.