Bangladesh's World Cup and Asian Cup qualification hopes took a significant blow as they slumped to a heavy 4-0 defeat against Lebanon in Doha on Tuesday night. Coach Javier Cabrera, who had previously emphasised the objective of securing victory, ultimately conceded a tactical advantage to his opponent.
The "Red-Green Brigade", as the Bangladeshi national team is affectionately known, endured a harsh reality check on the pitch. Jamal Bhuiyan's men return home with their tails firmly between their legs after a torrid display that saw Lebanon's Hasan Matouk bag a hat-trick.
This defeat extends Bangladesh's woes in Group D of the qualifiers. From six matches, they've managed just a solitary point, courtesy of a 1-1 draw against Lebanon in the home fixture. This result leaves them languishing at the bottom of the table, with their qualification prospects hanging by a thread.
Lebanon, on the other hand, solidified their third-place position with this convincing victory, adding another five points to their tally. Both teams will have to battle through the third round of qualifiers if they are to secure a coveted Asian Cup berth.
The match at Doha's Khalifa International Stadium unfolded disastrously for Bangladesh from the outset. A mere 25 seconds into the game, a calamitous error by Tarek Kazi gifted Lebanon the lead. Goalkeeper Ashutosh "Mitul" Chowdhury inexplicably scuffed a back pass to Marma, allowing the ball to trundle embarrassingly into the net.
Disaster compounded further in the fifth minute. A needless tug of the shirt by defender Shakeel Hussain on Jihad Ayyub inside the penalty area resulted in a spot-kick. Lebanon captain Hasan Matouk coolly dispatched the penalty, sending Mitul the wrong way.
Despite these early setbacks, Bangladesh showed glimpses of fight. Mitul redeemed himself with a string of fine saves, denying efforts from Umar Zaman, Kassim Hangouss and Kasim Sain. Rakib Hossain also threatened with a powerful shot that was parried away by Lebanese custodian Mustafa Matar.
However, the first half ended on a sour note for Bangladesh. Hussain Jain suffered a collision and was stretchered off the pitch, replaced by Maher Sabah. To compound their misery, Nader Matar headed home in the second minute of added time to hand Lebanon a commanding two-goal lead at the break.
The second half offered little respite for Bangladesh. Javier Cabrera attempted to salvage the situation by introducing midfielder Masuk Mia Johnny in place of the ineffective Shakeel Hussain. However, Lebanon exploited the visitors' vulnerabilities further.
Hasan Matouk added his second goal in the 49th minute, capitalising on a free-kick to put the game beyond doubt. Just two minutes later, he completed his hat-trick, tapping in from close range after Maher Sabah's unselfish pass. Matouk's international career fittingly ended on a high note, with the Lebanese fans showering him with applause as he was substituted.
This comprehensive defeat leaves Bangladesh with a mountain to climb in their quest for qualification. They must regroup and learn from their mistakes before embarking on the crucial third round of qualifiers.
