Thursday, August 23, 2007

Nehru Cup: In the battle of the underdogs, Cambodia hold Bangladesh to a 1-1 draw

Cambodia hold Bangladesh 1-1

Statesman News Service (Kolkota, India)

NEW DELHI, Aug. 22: In the battle of minnows, Bangladesh squandered lead as Cambodia held them to a 1-1 draw in the fifth match of the Nehru Cup at Ambedkar stadium here today.

Mohammed Abul Hussain gave Bangladesh the lead in the 31st minute, while substitute Keo Kosal restored the parity in the closing minute for the Cambodians.

It was an inconsequential match for both the teams as they are virtually out of the tournament after being beaten in their earlier matches. Cambodia lost their first match against India, 0-6, while Kyrgyzstan overcame a spirited challenge by the South East Asian nation in a seven goal thriller. Syed Nayeemuddin’s Bangladesh lost their opener to favourites Syria (0-2), while host India beat them 1-0.

With nothing to play for, it was just a prestige match for both the teams. But the match lacked the firepower. After a zippy performance against fancied Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia appeared to have lost all their steam. Bangladesh played their usual defensive game, relying more on occasional counter attack. Bangladesh scored their first goal of the tournament with Abul Hussain heading a corner kick in the 31st minute.

The second half was the reflection of the first as both teams made tiring attacks on each other without actually threatening the rival defence. It was the substitutions that Cambodia’s Australian coach Mr Scott O’Donell made which saw the team revert to some aggressive football in the fag end of the second half. Their persistent effort paid off with a fleet-footed Keo Kosal, who came as a substitute for skipper Pok Chan Than, equalised for his team two minutes before the final whistle.

Teams

Bangladesh: Biplab Bhattacharjee (goalkeeper), Firoj Mahmud Hossain Titu, Mohammed Waly Faisal, Rajani Kanta Barman, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Mohammed Ariful Islam, Arman Aziz, Mohammed Zahid Hasan Emeli, Mohammed Alfaz Ahmed (Mohammed Robin, 57), Mohammed Abul Hossain, Mohammed Zahid Hossain. Coach: Syed Nayeemuddin.

Cambodia: Pich Rovenyothin (goalkeeper), Chan Dara, Kim Chan Bonrith, Om Thavrak, Chan Rithy, Teab Vathanak, Sam Minar, Sun Sovannarith (Samel Nasa, 67), Hok Sotitya (Chan Chaya, 81), Pok Chan Than (Keo Kosal, 81), Tieng Tiny. Coach: Mr Scott O’Donell.

Referee: Mr Ajjaggowder Arjunan (India).

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