Bangladesh lose 2-0 against Lebanon

Bangladesh suffered a 2-0 defeat against Lebanon in Group B's opening fixture of the SAFF Championship at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, India, today.

Substitute midfielder Hassan Maatouk broke the deadlock in the 79th minute after a misplaced pass in the midfield led to a couple of Lebanon forwards with only the goalkeeper, Anisur Rahman Zico, to beat.

Striker Khalil Bader then capped off the victory for Lebanon in the dying minutes of the match.

Following a lacklustre first-half, Bangladesh fared comparatively better in the second after coach Javier Cabrera made three substitutions a few minutes before the hour mark.

Before conceding the goal, a golden chance came for the men in red and green through the right flank when Faisal Ahmed Fahim found himself through on goal but he could only aim the shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Overall, Lebanon reflected the gulf in rankings (93) between the two sides, having created far more chances with a majority of possession.