Bangladesh frustrated in stalemate

Bangladesh women’s national football team clinched the two-match FIFA International Friendly series 1-0 after they played out a goalless draw against 85th-ranked Malaysia in the second game at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Sipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka on Sunday.

Bangladesh head coach Golam Rabbani Choton fielded the same eleven in a 4-4-2 formation and stayed true to his promise of delivering entertaining football as Bangladesh seemed hungry to score goals straight from the outset.

The first shot on target came in the eighth minute when Akhi Khatun smartly created space for herself and got a left-footed shot way, but Malaysian goalkeeper Nurul Azurin was equal to it as she punched it away.

Just a minute later, midfielder Monika Chakma produced an effective drag back outside the box and managed to drive a shot on goal with her left foot. An incoming Masura Parvin tried to meet the shot but blazed it over the crossbar from five yards.

It was evident that Malaysia had done their homework as they thwarted attack after attack and tried to stay compact against a flamboyant Bangladesh.

In the 19th minute, Defender Akhi failed to head it in from a corner as she put it over from point-blank range.

The women in red and green, despite their dominance, had nothing to show for in the first half. They managed to put four goals past Malaysia in the first 45 minutes in the first game but in the second match, it was all even at halftime.

The second half saw more of the same as Bangladesh got the blocks quickly and pinned Malaysia back.

Bangladesh despite creating countless opportunities, failed to penetrate the Malaysian defensive shield as it ended 0-0.