Jamal Bhuiyan and Topu Barman scored a goal each as Bangladesh ended their 18-year winless streak against Maldives with a 2-1 victory over the Red Snappers in their second match of the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Tournament in Colombo today.
This is their first victory against Maldives since 2003 when the men in red and green came out as victors from a penalty shootout in the final of the SAFF Championship in Dhaka.
Midfield maestro and captain Jamal Bhuyan gave Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute of the game with a tap-in following the usual long throw-ins of Rahmat Mia.
Maldives equalised in the 33rd minute as Ibrahim Aisam found the net from a corner from Ali Ashfaq.
Bangladesh were awarded a penalty in the 88th minute after substitute Jewel Rana was brought down inside the box by Maldives goalkeeper Ali Naajih.
Topu Barman, who is often deemed as the Sergio Ramos of Bangladesh, didn't miss the chance to score the winner with a cool and composed finish from the spot.
Bangladesh coach Mario Lemos brought two changes in the playing 11 today as left-back Yeasin Arafat was replaced by Rahmat Mia and Mohammad Hridoy took the place of injured Saad Uddin.
The coach also improvised with formation today, leaving his go-to 4-2-3-1 and playing 4-3-3.
He unleashed three defensive midfielders today, with Atiqur Rahman in holding midfield and Jamal and Hridoy on his sides.
Lemos' motive was clear, reducing the pressure on the defence by stopping the opponent at midfield.
Bangladesh defence successfully kept Maldives stalwart Ali Ashfaq neutral as the talisman failed to pose any real threat.
However, Bangladesh lost their advantage from the set-piece after the side failed to mark Ibrahim Aisam who tapped in a corner taken by Ali Ashfaq.
Bangladesh changed tactics in the second half when Atiqur and Hridoy were left in the middle with a 'double pivot' and Jamal played the role of 'Number Ten.'
Faisal Ahmed, Jewel Rana and Mahbubur Rahman were introduced as substitutes and it was Jewel who earned the penalty for the red and green in the dying stages of the game.
Bangladesh currently stands on top of the table with four points despite starting the campaign with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Seychelles three days ago.
They will play their last round-robin match against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. The top two teams will play the final on November 19.
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