Late goal ends Bangladesh's SAFF final dream against Pakistan, fire set in gallery
Bangladesh's dream of reaching the SAFF football final ended with a 1-0 semi-final defeat to Pakistan at the National Stadium in Dhaka. Pakistan midfielder Abdul Samad Shahzad's goal in the 86th minute decided the match.
Bangladesh had reached the semi-final as group winners after thrashing Sri Lanka 4-0, and supporters packed the gallery expecting an easy win and a place in the final. But from the 8:30pm kick-off, Pakistan put up stiff resistance from the start. The gallery swung between hope of a goal and anxiety at the opponents' attacks.
In the 86th minute, Abdul Samad Shahzad scored with a low left-footed shot from inside the box. Goalkeeper Shrabon, unbeaten until then, was beaten for the first time. His hands went to his waist as his team-mates showed the gloom of looming defeat. Bangladesh tried in the remaining minutes but could not equalise.
The win takes Pakistan into the SAFF final for the first time in the tournament's 33-year history.
For Bangladesh it is heartbreak again. Twenty-one years ago, Bangladesh reached their last SAFF final by beating Pakistan in Karachi; this time, at home, the team of Hamza, Shamit, Zayan, Shuki and Farhan could not beat the same opponents.
Bangladesh fielded a record eight expatriate players in the starting eleven for the first time in their history, and led possession until the 56th minute. Even so, defeat could not be avoided.
Pakistan had added five Europe-based expatriate footballers to their squad for this semi-final. Their defence, led by Abdullah Iqbal of Swedish top-league club Mjallby, was formidable. Pakistan's best-known expatriate name is goalkeeper Yusuf Butt, who plays for Danish fourth-tier club Ishoj IF.
Bangladesh had no 'Plan B' against Pakistan's physically strong, tall players. Pakistan gave away not an inch in the physical battle and conceded no free-kicks near their own area, successfully carrying out a counter-attacking strategy.
Bangladesh coach Thomas Dooley made two changes to the eleven. Rahmat Mia came in for injured right-back Saad Uddin. From midfield, Shamit released many balls to left winger Farhan Ali Wahid, but Pakistan's tight marking left little space. Both teams had a shot hit the side post.
After the goal, angry supporters threw smoke flares onto the pitch in the final minutes, and Pakistan's goalkeeper could not stand under his post. After the elimination, some Bangladeshi spectators also set fire to the gallery in anger; the fire service later put it out.
In the final moments there was also heated tension and scuffling between players of the two teams, which later subsided.
After the final whistle, many Bangladeshi footballers lay on the pitch in despair. The team left the field with heads bowed; the night belonged only to Pakistan.
