Army exit Durand Cup with heads held high

Bangladesh Army Football team's Durand Cup campaign ended following a goalless against Indian Super League outfit Punjab FC in their third and final group match at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata yesterday.

Having suffered a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Mohun Bagan SG followed by a 2-2 draw against East Bengal FC, Bangladesh Army came into the contest with a must-win situation to stay in the tournament.

Six group champions and the two best runners-up from six groups will advance to the last eight in one of the world's oldest football tournaments.

Before the start of the match, Bangladesh Army coach Abdur Razzak deemed the tie crucial for them and aimed to leave the ground with a win but they had to settle with a commendable draw against former I-League champions Punjab.

The charges of Razzak created a few chances in the second half while goalkeeper Ashraful Islam Rana made a host of impressive saves in the match as Bangladesh Army clawed out a goalless stalemate to leave the tournament with successive draws against ISL oppositions.