Nov. 5 — Host nation Bangladesh launched their SAFF Championship campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bhutan on Thursday, securing crucial opening points at the Bangabandhu National Stadium courtesy of a clinical second-half strike from forward Mohammad Ibrahim.
Dominating attacking phases from the opening whistle, the hosts applied relentless pressure on Bhutan’s defensive lines. In the sixth minute, winger Rakib whipped a dangerous cross from the right wing into the Bhutanese penalty area, which was cleared before connecting with Bishwanath Ghosh. Midfield anchor Jamal Bhuyan unleashed a powerful drive from the rebound outside the eighteen-yard box, but his effort was deflected by Bhutan’s crowded backline.
The hosts created further chances in the 18th minute when Ghosh headed inches wide from another precise delivery by Rakib. In the 25th minute, Ghosh missed another opportunity, sending a clear attempt over the crossbar amid a scramble inside the box. Frustrations mounted in the 39th minute when an open diagonal effort against the Bhutanese custodian flew off-target, leaving the opening half deadlocked at 0-0.
Bangladesh intensified their offensive tempo after the interval, sustaining wave after wave of possession inside the opposing half. The decisive breakthrough came in the 68th minute, when Ibrahim controlled the ball within the penalty area and dispatched a precise right-footed strike into the net to ignite jubilation across the home stands.
Bhutan pushed aggressively for an equalizer in the closing stages, but Bangladesh’s defensive core held firm to neutralize late threats and safeguard the clean sheet until the final whistle.
Source: SAFF Championship Official Match Dispatches & Field Coverage, Dhaka