Pakistan holds Bangladesh

By Our Sports Reporter

JAMSHEDPUR, JUNE 24. Pakistan came up with a rejuvenated show before effecting an injury-time equaliser to hold favourite Bangladesh 2-2 in a keenly contested group IV encounter of the Asian Youth (under-16) football qualifier league here at the JRD Tata Sports complex on Saturday.

Bangladesh, which should count itself unfortunate for missing umpteen chances, put itself into undue pressure as it now has the big task of beating host India in order to realise its qualification hopes.

Today's draw placed Bangladesh on second spot with four points behind India, which is the group topper now with six points from its wins against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Pakistan is placed third with one point from a loss and a draw while Sri Lanka is yet to score losing both its matches.

As compared to the showing it had against host India in the group opener, Pakistan was a far-improved outfit in today's match. The three days of preparation since its last match here, seemed to have helped Pakistan a lot as the team displayed commendable alertness and tactical maturity while taking on Bangladesh. On the other hand Bangladesh - traditionally more accomplished than its opponent - appeared a bundle of nerves in the striking zone and found its two forwards - Mehdi Hassan (Ujjal) and Anwar-ul- Karim (Sohel) - floundering with their finishing. Pakistan's improvement was evident from its more assured show in the midfield, keeping the opposition under pressure while creating opportunities for itself. Bangladesh enjoyed territorial superiority in the initial session of the play returning a 1-0 scoreline at the end of the first session. The Bangladesh goal had come up in the 10th minute through Sohel who took advantage of some slopping defending by Pakistan. The Bangladesh midfield, in one of its infrequent moments of flourish, saw its hardworking schemer Mohammad Ahmed (Pappu) work himself through the opposition defence to set a cross for Sohel. Pakistan captain Mohammed Saleem miscued an attempted clearance to find the ball sailing towards his own goal before Sohel darted in to tap the ball home and take Bangladesh one up.

As Bangladesh worked to widen the lead, Sohel's colleague Ujjal got everything wrong on being located almost free inside the box by a midfield through pass in the 34th minute. Ujjal, who had only the Pakistan custodian Mohammed Naeem to beat, banged his shot straight on to the charging goalkeeper instead of placing the ball home.

Pakistan, arriving with a renewed briefing from coach Mohammed Siddique in the second session, did not err in the 60th minute as a midfield floater from Zakir Hussein reached its tall forward Zahid Hamid who successfully lobbed over offplaced Bangladesh goalkeeper, M. Rehman (Munna) to restore parity.

Bangladesh renewed its effort for the lead only to see its forward Sohel and Ujjal floundering two close opportunities in front of the opposition goal. While Sohel sent his header wide on a Mehbob Alam (Paulo) cross in the 63rd minute, Ujjal chose to target the cross-piece in the 68th minute. It required the abilities of its midfield substitute, Masud Alam, who got the lead for Bangladesh in the 72nd minute, guiding home another Paulo cross with a diving header.

Bangladesh's effort to enhance its lead fell flat as its forwardline kept on missing opportunities.

As the match drew towards its close, with Bangladesh managing its slender lead, Pakistan took advantage from a snap attack through the right flank in injury time. Pakistan forward Nadeem Masih chugged up the right to measure a nice cross that Hameed converted for the equaliser.

Pakistan plays Sri Lanka in the next Group IV league match after a day's break on Monday. India takes on Bangladesh on the following day in the last match of the meet.

Group IV league table: India 2-2-0-0-9-0-6; Bangladesh 2-1-1-0-3- 2-4; Pakistan 2-0-1-1-2-8-1; Sri Lanka 2-0-0-2-0-4-0. Tabulated as under: Played, won, drawn, lost, goals in favour, goals against and points).

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