Sports Desk
Bangladesh lost to Australia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. However, Bangladesh hosts Lebanon in another group stage match at home. And despite falling behind in the home field, Bangladesh finally ended with a great goal by Morsalin. However, the hosts came very close to victory in the end. However, Morsalin’s shot went out of the net and there was no victory.
Bangladesh wanted to forget the pain of losing by seven goals against Australia with the Lebanon match. The goal was to score points. Javier Cabrera’s team got one point, if not three points. In the first half, Bangladesh could not advance despite getting the opportunity. A number of attacks had opportunities for targeting. Failed though.
Bangladesh drew 1-1 with Lebanon in the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match at King’s Arena on Tuesday evening. Majed Osman scored the goal for Lebanon in the second half. Shortly after that, Morsalin brought Bangladesh back into the match.
As forward Rakib Hossain and defender Saaduddin were unable to play, the host’s starting XI was expected to change. Graves made four changes. Coach played Shakil Hossain in place of Hassan Murad and Mohammad Sohail Rana in place of Mojibur Rahman Johnny. Morsalin and Isa Faisal returned to the XI.
Bangladesh got the first chance in 10 minutes of the match. Fahim was unable to reach Morsaline’s cross. Maybe there was a chance to score. In the 24th minute, Jamal’s corner was headed by Vishwanath into the goalkeeper’s hands.
In the next minute, Sheikh Morsalin’s pass saw Mohammad Sohail Rana get the ball inside the box and clear the defender before taking a shot on target. In the 33rd minute, Morsalin could not get to the right place on Fahim’s cross. Although he was very empty. Bangladesh got another good chance in the last minute of the first half. Faisal Ahmed Fahim delivered a superb cross into the D-box from Jamal’s extended ball on the right wing. But Golmukh says that opportunity is lost as Morsalin cannot connect properly.
After 60 minutes of the match, Bangladesh started to play untidy football. And by exploiting that mistake, Lebanon advanced in the match. In the 68th minute, an attack inside the box sent the ball 6 yards out. Goalkeeper Shravan came forward and could not palm it properly. After receiving the ball, substitute forward Majed Osman Konakuni shook the net with a shot.
However, Bangladesh did not allow Lebanon to celebrate the goal for too long. Within 5 minutes, Bangladesh returned to the match by repaying the goal. Life returned to the stunned gallery in the 72nd minute. Morsalin found the back of the net with a angled shot from well outside the box. The relief of equality returns to the tent of Bangladesh. After scoring a goal, he went up to the gallery and shared the joy with the audience. However, the South Korean referee showed Morsalin a yellow card for breaking the rules.
Morsalin wasted a golden opportunity in the 88th minute. Rafiqul’s extended ball could not be controlled properly in the first touch. After taking the shot, the ball shakes the outer net. The rest of the time there was no chance.
However, Bangladesh, ranked 183 in the FIFA rankings, left the field with the relief of getting a valuable point.
Sarabangla/SS
