Bangladesh 4-0 win over Sri Lanka SAFF Championship, Digi Mart USA News (Dhaka, Bangladesh): The absence of a prolific, out-and-out number nine had been a talking point surrounding Bangladesh ahead of their SAFF Championship campaign. But by the time the hosts had completed a 4-0 rout against Sri Lanka at the National Stadium, they had offered a convincing answer to that concern: goals do not necessarily have to come from a centre-forward.
Bangladesh found four different routes to goal, as Shamit Shome, captain Hamza Choudhury, Farhaan Ali Wahid and Rakib Hossain all got on the scoresheet. Rather than relying on a traditional goalscorer to carry the attacking burden, the hosts drew on the movement and finishing ability of their midfielders and wide forwards.
Mohammad Ibrahim, who scored in the first game against Bhutan, offered a physical presence up front, keeping the central defenders occupied and creating room for players arriving from deeper positions. He also put himself about, taking a blow to the head in the 31st minute before challenging goalkeeper Sujan Perera for the ball in the 65th.
Shamit was perhaps the clearest example of Bangladesh’s collective approach. Operating alongside Quazem Shah Kirmanee in a double pivot, his primary responsibility was to provide defensive cover and help win possession.
He showed that side of his game in the 11th minute, tracking back to stop Adhavan Rajamohan after the Sri Lankan forward had found space centrally.
Shamit also demonstrated that his influence was not restricted to defensive duties. In the eighth minute, he arrived in the box at the right time to turn home the rebound after Perera failed to hold Hamza’s cross from the right.
His willingness to move forward and support attacks, while maintaining his defensive responsibilities, gave Thomas Dooley’s charges another dimension in midfield.
The left flank, meanwhile, provided a different source of danger. Farhaan stretched the Sri Lankan defence with his direct running and ability to take on defenders, while Shamit’s movement offered support.
Their combination created problems for the visitors, with Farhaan also heading a diagonal delivery back into the danger area in the 25th minute, allowing Hamza to attempt a back-flick that narrowly cleared the crossbar.
Picking up the ball on the left, Farhaan beat his marker, then two more with close control, cut inside onto his right foot and fired towards goal. His effort took a deflection off a defender before finding the net.
Hamza was the driving force behind much of Bangladesh’s play. The new captain was vocal in demanding greater intensity from his teammates, while also looking to influence the attack.
After an early free-kick and a long-range effort failed to find the target, he produced the decisive moment just before half-time, beating his marker from the left before unleashing a powerful shot that went in off Perera’s knee.
Rakib added the finishing touch in the 87th minute, driving the final nail into the coffin of now-eliminated Sri Lanka as he raced through on a counter-attack before delicately lifting the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.
With the attacking responsibility shared across midfield and the flanks, the hosts, chasing their second SAFF title in 23 years, will hope this performance marks a platform for an even sterner test in their semifinal against Pakistan on November 14.
