Ali Fasir makes toothless Bangladesh pay

Bangladesh's hopes of securing a favourable draw in next year's Asian Cup Qualifiers were dashed following a 1-0 defeat at home against Maldives in their penultimate FIFA fixture of the year.

Javier Cabrera's men, who were hoping to move into Pot 3 from Pot 4 in next month's draw for the continental competion's draw with two wins against the visitors in the last two FIFA friendlies of the year, frustrated around 4000 spectators at the Bashundhara Kings Arena with some toothless finishing and clueless defensive work.

The performance from the hosts was in stark contrast to the spirited display they had put up to eliminate the visitors from the World Cup Qualifying playoffs with a 2-1 win at the same venue a year ago.

Coach Javier Cabrera and captain  Topu Barman had said they would play with an all-out approach against the Maldivians, 22 ranks ahead of them in FIFA ranking. The men in red and green did try to play with attacking intent, but there was so much lack of cohesion among the players, perhaps rusty from a long break from competitive football.

Rakib Hossain and Faysal Ahmed Fahim, the two forwards operating down the wings, failed to put the right crosses inside the box while at the other end, there was clear lack of understanding in defence where young Abahani centre-back Shakil Ahad Topu was handed his debut.

With Quazem Shah Kirmanee, Sohel Rana and Mohammad Ridoy marshalling a three-man midfield, Bangladesh dominated processings right through the match, hitting the woodwork once and bringing the opposition goalkeeper in play a number or times, especially in the last 20 minutes when a host of fresh legs including those of Mahbubur Rahman Johny, Shahreat Emon and Chandon Roy had injected some much-needed pace to the side. However, it was the 18th-minute goal on a free-kick which unmarked Ali Fasir comfortably headed home eventually made the difference.

Bangladesh will take on the same opposition in the second match of the two-match series at the same venue on Saturday.