DHAKA, June 7, 2019 (BSS)- A late goal by substitute Rabiul Hasan helped Bangladesh national football team to register a solitary goal victory over Laos in the first leg of FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 joint pre-qualifiers Round-1 held on Thursday at the New Lao National Stadium in Vientiane, Laos.
In the day’s match, Rabiul Hasan scored the decisive goal for Bangladesh in the 71st minute.
Bangladesh was a little cautious in the beginning of the match to avoid any mistake as well as to read the game of Laos.
After the barren first half, Bangladesh launched series of attacks to take the lead. The entry of Rabiul Hasan in the place of Arifur Rahman in the 55th minute was clear indication from coach Jamie Day that Bangladesh wanted to break the stalemate.
Rabiul Hasan produced a brilliant goal in the 71st minute of the game making all the difference of the match.
He showed his marker the outside before cutting in from the left at the edge of the box and hitting the net with a precisely guided shot.
Rabiul, however, was showed yellow for taking off his shirt while celebrating with his teammates after scoring the goal.
His goal was enough though for a crucial away goal and a clean-sheet to take home for the second leg.
Rabiul was also named the player of the match for his match-winning performance.
The second leg will be held on June 11 at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.
The Bangladesh team is expected to return home tomorrow (Saturday).