Jakarta: Bangladesh have forced Thailand to a 1-1 draw in second group stage match of Asian Games preliminary round at the Pakansari Stadium in Bogor on Thursday.
Mahbubur Rahman Sufil put the team ahead utilizing a long throw in the 52nd minute.
However, Chaided pulled one goal back in the 80th minute for Thailand forcing Bangladesh to a 1-1 draw.
Bangladesh produced a great performance to hold Thailand to a 1-1 draw to keep their hopes of advancing to the Round of 16 alive.
For Thailand, who finished fourth in the 2014 Asian Games, the result was another blow after having also settled for a 1-1 draw with Qatar on Matchday 1.
In a highly intense match, Bangladesh gave it their all following their 3-0 loss to Uzbekistan in their group opener, while Thailand were intent on a win to keep their hopes alive.
After a first half which yielded no goals, Bangladesh were rewarded for their determination in the 52nd minute when Bishwanath Ghosh threw a long range ball into the box, which Topu Barman headed on for Mahbubur Rahman’s finishing touch.
A stung Thailand upped the tempo after conceding but they only found their equaliser in the 80th minute when Bangladesh goalkeeper Ashraful Islam Rana failed to cleanly clear Chaiyawat Buran’s cross into the box and substitute Supachai Chaided tucked it home.
Bangladesh face Qatar on Sunday, while Thailand will surely need three points against Uzbekistan if they are to advance.
Observing the performance of the players, head coach Jamie Day said, “I’m very happy with the performance of the boys. They were brilliant, each and everyone.”
Negating the comments that his side became defensive after getting the lead, Jamie said that his side rather continued to work hard and tried to score another goal.
Acknowledging how important the win was to stay alive in the tournament, the head coach said, “We are still in the competition which is a credit to the players. I cannot ask for any more than the players are giving me at the moment.”
“I think we did our best to try and win end was unlucky we didn’t,” he added.
Asked if he feels that Bangladesh should have won the game, the British coach said, “Who knows? I’m pleased that we created chances and hopefully we can do that against Qatar.”
When asked about Thailand’s flurry of attacks down the left side, Jamie replied, “Teams are going to create chances. I think everyone played well and deserve credit, not criticism.”
Questioned about his players’ fitness, Jamie said, “The players have worked their socks off in the last 2 games and have every right to be tired. The amount of running they have covered last 2 matches has been unbelievable.”
Bangladesh will play Qatar in their last preliminary round match at 6:00pm on August 19, Sunday with qualification on the line.
