Booters lose against Myanmar

Bangladesh Olympic football team's bid to make it to the Round of 16 for the second time in a row was dealt a huge blow with a 1-0 defeat against Myanmar in their opening match of the Asian Games at the Xiaoshan Sports Complex Stadium in Hangzhou today.

With India and China being the two other teams in the group, Bangladesh had targeted at least a point against their cross-border rivals, however, an own goal from Murad Hasan saw their hopes dashed.

Bangladesh were deprived of an equaliser in the stoppage time of the second half with Suman Reza's header coming off the crossbar after Kyrgyz referee Abdyldaev had overlooked a Bangladesh claim for a handball inside the Myanmar box in the 88th minute.

"I think we should have won the match because we created more chances. We hit the post while a clear penalty was not awarded to us but we had to concede the goal due to our mistakes," captain Rahmat Mia said after the match.

"We created three to four open chances, but we could not take those home unfortunately and it was bad luck for us," said Rahmat, one of the players who also plays for the senior team also.

Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera applied the same playing style that he uses with the senior team. The relatively inexperienced Bangladesh side had a comparatively better first half to deny Myanmar, who dominated with better ball possession and attacks. However, Bangladesh's defence, marshalled by Rahmat, Murad, Shakil Hossain and Issa Faisal, negotiated the dangers solidly.

But as Bangladesh defence looked a bit tired in the second half, Myanmar forwards got past both full-backs a few times before substitute Khun Kyaw Zin Hein forced debutant Murad to divert his low cross into the Bangladesh net in the 67th minute after Rabiul Hasan lost the ball in the midfield.

Bangladesh will play their second match against India, who were thrashed 5-1 by China in the day's other match, on September 21.