Dhaka – Bangladesh played out a goalless draw with Laos in their second-leg match to earn right to play in round-2 of the joint qualification phase for the FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup’ 2023 at Bangabandhu National Stadium here on Tuesday.
With the day’s feat, Bangladesh will join the top 34 Asian teams to play in the round-2 qualifiers scheduled for September next as one of the six winner of the 12-team fray
In the day’s home match, Bangladesh needed a draw to reach the qualifying round of the FIFA and AFC meets after beating Laos by 1-0 goal in the first-leg match at the National Stadium in Vientiane, Laos on June 6 and they finally achieved their target.
In the match, Bangladeshi booters missed at-least four close chances to score against the tourist Laos after mounting pressure over their opponent from the very beginning as captain Jamal Bhuiyan and his men produces some close calls.
In the 5th minute, Bangladeshi medio Biplu Ahmed was cautioned with yellow with yellow card for playing rough football.
Forward Nabib Newaj Ziban came close to score twice in the 25th minute and 38th minute respectively, but failed due to poor finishing.
On the other hand, touring Laos also came alive in the middle of the first half to take the lead on few occasions.
But Bangladeshi defense parried their all of their attacks.
In the second half, Bangladesh came to the field with a replacement including forward Mohammad Ibrahim in placing of midfielder Biplu Ahmed.
In the 53rd minute, Nabib Newaj Ziban failed to buried the ball in net utilizing the pass from Mohammad Ibrahim while forward Mohammad Ibrahim missed another close chance in the 88th minute.
Laos also missed some good chances to score.
In the 60th minute, Bangladesh forward Mohammad Ibrahim punished with a yellow card by the referee.
Bangladesh took two replacements. Midfielder Mahbubur Rahman Sufil replaced another midfielder Masuk Mia Jony in the 67th minute while another midfielder Sohel Rana replaced defender Md Rabiul Hasan in the 79th minute.
Laos took just two changes — Midfielder Sengvilay Chanthasili replaced defender Vanna Bounl Ovongsa while forward Somxay Keohanam replaced another defender Kaharn Phetsivilay.
Bangladesh are now ranked 188th and 41st in the FIFA International Ranking and AFC Ranking respectively while Laos remained 184th and 38th.
A total of 12 Asian nations — six seeded teams (ranked 35th to 40th in AFC) against the six unseeded teams (ranked 41st to 46th in AFC) — will participate in the round-1 of both the tournaments.
The 12 teams are Bangladesh, Laos, Mongolia, Brunei Darussalam, Macau, Sri Lanka, Laos, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Timor-Leste, Cambodia, Pakistan, Bhutan and Guam.
The six winners of the 12-team fray will join top 34 Asian teams in the round-2 qualifiers, scheduled to be held in September.
Bangladesh squad: Tutul Hosain Badsha, Mamunul Islam Mamun, Ashraful Islam Rana, Yeasin Khan, Jamal Bhuyan (C), Rahmat Mia, Bishwanath Ghosh, Nabib Newaj Ziban, Biplu Ahmed, Masuk Mia Jony, Md Rabiul Hasan.
Laos Squad: Xaysavath, Kaharn Phetsivilay, Thipphachanh Inthavong, Khounsomba Phommaxay, Souk Aphone Vongchiengkhan (C), Phoutthasay Khochalern, Manolom Phetphakdy, Chanthaphone Waenvongsoth, Bounphachan Bounkong, Vanna Bounl Ovongsa, Vannasone Douangmaity
