Yangon: Bangladesh thrust themselves back into contention for a place in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup finals with a shock 2-0 victory over qualification Group A hosts Myanmar.
Having lost 2-0 to Palestine in their opening fixture nothing less than a win would do for Bangladesh against a Myanmar side who also needed a victory following their 1-1 draw with the Philippines.
Shakil Ahmed stunned the sizeable contingent of Myanmar fans at the Yangon Youth Centre when he put Bangladesh one up in the 10th minute before his fellow Mohammedan midfielder Abdul Baten Mojumder Komal, a 67th minute substitute, give his side some breathing space with the second two minutes from full time.
Bangladesh’s first three points puts then second in the standings, one point behind leaders Palestine who played out a goalless draw with the Philippines in the earlier match on Wednesday.
Myanmar are anchored at the foot of the table with just one point but Milan Zivadinovic’s side are far from out of the reckoning.
With tournament regulations stipulating that “the greater number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” is the first criteria to separate two or more teams with equal points, Myanmar will advance with a victory over Palestine on Friday.
The Philippines also need a victory to go through while a draw will be enough to see Bangladesh into next year’s finals.
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