Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka

From Our Correspondent

SHILLONG, Feb 7: Srimoti Krishrani Sarkar scored twice as Bangladesh notched up their first win of the tourment against Sri Lanka at the JN Stadium here today.

Sri Lanka started off cautiously against the Bangladesh side and were placed on the back foot for the early part of the match.

Bangladesh’s first prominent chance to lead came in the 13th minute when Khatun’s long ranger whizzed away from goal. Five minutes later, Bangladesh midfielder Maynum Marma attempted a shot that glided safely into the arms of Sri Lankan goal keeper S. Subasinghe.

Bangladesh made an early substitution replacing goal keepers with Mosasamat Roshan Ara coming in for Sabi Akter after the latter was involved in an on-field collision.

The change almost allowed Sri Lanka an opening goal after Ara was found guilty of a hand ball around three yards outside the box.

Sri Lankan captain I. Liyage took the awarded free kick and produced a beautiful flat shot but only for the ball to find the post.

Sri Lanka started finding their rhythm sometime midway through the first half despite a constant onslaught by Bangladesh in their attempt to lead scores. In added time, Sri Lankan midfielder P M Perera delivered a calculated through ball that was scored by I Liyage but the referee called offside.

It was Bangladesh that took the lead with a splendid goal by 14-year old Srimoti Krishrani Sarkar in the 64th minute. The forward found position before sending a vicious left footer that dipped into the back of the nets. However, the lead was short-lived as Sri Lanka pulled one back through a header by R Ekayake three minutes later. In the 73rd minute, Bangladeshi forward Mossamut Munmun challenged three defenders and sent a low shot that was saved by the keeper before being substituted a minute later by Marzia.

It was an 82rd minute goal that decided the fate of the match. Srimoti converted yet again, sending up a left footer that sailed past the keeper as Bangladesh held the last few minutes to complete the victory. The South Asian Games is coincidentally Srimoti’s first intertiol experience with the senior team.

Bangladesh coach Golam Robbani Choton praised his girls saying “they showed their commitment and dedication to our country” while going on to add that the support from the crowd was tremendous.

Sri Lankan coach M Jusman also said that he was satisfied with the way his team played considering this was their first match.