Substitute Ibrahim gives Bangladesh 1-0 win over Bhutan in SAFF opener amid mixed fan reaction

Bangladesh opened the 15th edition of the SAFF Championship with a win, beating Bhutan 1-0 at Dhaka's National Stadium, with substitute Md Ibrahim scoring the only goal.

Ibrahim came on as a substitute in the 64th minute and scored within five minutes of entering the field. From Zayan Ahmed's cross, Samit Som's header turned inside the Bhutan box and Ibrahim volleyed the ball into the net. That single goal ultimately proved to be the basis of Bangladesh's victory.

Although Bhutan trail Bangladesh in ranking and strength, the hosts were made to work hard. Despite creating chance after chance, Bangladesh failed to convert them, keeping head coach Thomas Duli under pressure.

The picture in the gallery was mixed as well. Large parts of the Dhaka National Stadium gallery stayed empty through the first half. Attendance rose in the second half, but many supporters present felt it fell short of the enthusiasm seen around Bangladesh football in recent times.

Even before the match, there was dissatisfaction in the country's football circles over the high price of SAFF tickets and some mismanagement. A section of supporters was also not satisfied with the performance on the field.

Shariful Alam, a businessman who came from Azimpur to watch the match, said expectations were certainly higher. Bangladesh could have taken the lead within the first 30 minutes, he said, but that did not happen; still, he was happy with the win and hoped the team would play better in the next match.

Khorshed Matbar Alamgir, a well-known supporter who rushes to the ground wherever Bangladesh play at home or abroad, said a Bangladesh match always brings extra excitement. Although there was some dissatisfaction at winning by only one goal, he felt the result was what mattered at the end of the day.

But disappointment was clear in the voices of supporters Sumon Islam and Abdullah Al Amin. If scoring against Bhutan takes this much effort, they said, the matches against Sri Lanka and India will be even harder, and after creating so many chances the team should have scored at least a few more goals.

A large section of supporters also criticised the decision to play defender Bishwanath Ghosh as a forward.

Despite the criticism, supporters stayed at the stadium gate until the footballers left the field after the match. Ibrahim, Bishwanath and Fahmidul obliged fans below the gallery with selfies. As coach Thomas Duli left the field, a group of supporters surrounded him, and he gave autographs and took selfies with them.

As the team bus left, a section of supporters chanted that no syndicate would be tolerated in Bangladesh football. All told, Bangladesh have begun the tournament with a win, but questions over performance and expectations travel with the team.