Late fight not enough as Singapore sink Bangladesh in Asian Cup qualifier

Bangladesh have been unable to capitalise on home advantage as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Singapore in the third round of AFC Asian Cup qualifiers despite a spirited second-half display.

Egged on by a boisterous home crowd that gathered long before kick-off at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday, Javier Cabrera’s men struggled to live up to expectations.

After going two goals down, Rakib Hossain pulled one back midway through the second half, but Bangladesh failed to find an equaliser.

The match began in electric fashion, with fans lighting up smoke flares and cheering loudly as the teams took to the pitch. Yet the intensity off the pitch was not matched on it in the opening half, as the Bengal Tigers looked sluggish and fell behind just before the break.

Singapore signalled their intent early, with Song Uiyoung missing a clear chance in the 9th minute after a long throw from Hariss Stewart.

Bangladesh responded through Rakib, but his tame shot went straight to the keeper.

Key defender Kazi Tariq Rahman suffered an injury in the 28th minute but returned to the field shortly after. Goalkeeper Mitul Marma kept Bangladesh in the game with a brilliant save from Ikhsan Fandi.

Despite chances for Fahemidul Islam and Hamza Chowdhury, whose free kick sailed just over the bar, Singapore broke the deadlock in the 45th minute.

A deflected shot fell kindly for Hariss, whose cross found Uiyong unmarked to volley home as Hamza’s desperate clearance came too late.

A laser light show during the break momentarily lifted spirits, but it was Singapore who emerged sharper.

In the 58th minute, Fandi doubled the lead after Mitul parried a fierce shot into his path. The Bangladeshi defence failed to recover in time.

Bangladesh finally found a lifeline in the 67th minute when Hamza threaded a brilliant through ball to Rakib, whose low shot trickled over the line despite a touch from the keeper.

Cabrera introduced Morsalin and Al Amin as the hosts pushed for an equaliser, but their pressure yielded little. A barrage of corners went wasted, and a late volley from substitute Fahim flew well over the bar.

In stoppage time, Tariq’s header from a Morsalin cross was tipped onto the post by the Singapore goalkeeper, summing up Bangladesh’s night of frustration.

In the group’s other match, India were beaten 1-0 by Hong Kong. Both Hong Kong and Singapore now lead Group C with four points each, while Bangladesh and India remain on one point apiece.

Despite the passionate support and promising build-up, including the debut of Canadian league midfielder Shamit Shome and Serie D player Fahemidul, the result leaves Bangladesh facing an uphill battle to progress.