Michael Termanini scored a goal in the dying moment as Bangladesh suffered a heart breaking 1-0 goal defeat to strong Palestine in their second match of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers held at Bashundhara Kings Arena on Tuesday, reports BSS.
The defeat, the first in this venue for Bangladesh, saw the hosts at the bottom of Group I with a solitary point. The middle east nation Palestine, on the other hand, advanced to second position with seven points while Australia dominates the group with 12 points after four matches. Lebanon are in third position with two points.
Smarting from a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Palestine in Kuwait, Bangladesh were hoping to secure some points against Palestine taking the home ground advantage. The hosts had managed to keep a clean sheet till the 90th minute. At one stage it seemed that the match was heading for a draw but all changed suddenly as defender Michael Termanini crushed all hope of Bangladesh fans scoring the all-important goal for Palestine in the dying moment of the match.
It seemed that Bangladesh at least was able to snatch one point after Palestine were reduced to ten men, but lack of concentration spoiled all the good works in the end.
Earlier, head coach Javier Cabrera made two changes in the playing eleven against Palestine with Sakil Hossain being included in the best eleven in place of defender Isa Faisal who played in the first match in Kuwait.
Senior Sohel Rana, who was banned in the previous match due to a red card problem, replaced junior Sohel Rana in this match.
Palestine kept Bangladesh under pressure throughout the first half. They launched the attack in the 12th minute when Mohammed Rashid's free kick fell short in front of goalkeeper Mitul who failed to grip the ball properly.
Six minutes later, the Palestinians took another free kick in front of the box but this time Mitul again saved the attempt at a cost of corner.
Mojibor Rahman Jony put Bangladesh in trouble several times during the first half. Bangladesh could have fallen behind if Mitul failed to save Shehab Qumbor's header off free kick taken by captain Musab Batat in the 39th minute.
However, hosts Bangladesh created an easiest scoring chance of the match in the 44th minute. Skipper Jamal Bhuyan provided an accurate pass to Fahim from the near midfield. Fahim also received the ball, but he could not penetrate the net despite finding Palestine custodian Rami Hamada alone under the bar.
The start of the second half was not good for the host as Palestine forward Oday Dabbagh, who scored hat-trick in the first match, failed to send the ball home before the empty net.
Ten minutes later Mitul Marma again made a great save by taking a header by Dabagh from the close range. Mitul, who was superb under the bar, also foiled Aladin Hasan's long-range shot.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
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