Hosts Bangladesh made their winning start in the opening match of Bangabandhu Gold Cup comprehensively beating Sri Lanka 4-2 at the Shamsul Huda Stadium in Jessore.

For Bangladesh, Sakhawat Hossain Rony scored two goals while Nabib Newaj Jibon and Zahid Hossain scored one goal each.

Figurado and Chaturanga scored one goal each for Sri Lanka.

It was a much needed win for the hosts as they were under hefty pressure ahead of the match against SAFF Cup semifinalist Sri Lanka after being eliminated from the group stages of the SAFF Suzuki Cup.

It is the first time that Jessore is hosting part of an international tournament and the enthusiasm among the football loving people was felt in the old town of the south-east part of the country as the stadium, which has capacity of 12,000 audiences, was filled to the brim.