DHAKA, June 8, 2022 (BSS)- Bangladesh began their AFC Asian Cup 2023 
qualifiers campaign with a losing note as they suffered a 0-2 goal defeat to 
mighty Bahrain in their opening group E match held today (Wednesday) at the 
Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Midfielders Ali Abdulla Haram and Al Aswad scored one goal each for the 
Bahrain. Both the goals came in the first half.

Haram and Al Aswad ensured a facile victory for the Bahrain, who were 
on course for a huge victory but Bangladesh goal-keeper Anisur Rahman Zico 
was superb under the bar as he failed Bahrain's number of scoring 
opportunities.

In the day's match, Ali Abdulla Haram's opened the net scoring the first goal 
for Bahrain in the 34th minute with a perfect header from the close range 
capitalizing on a corner kick.

Al-Aswad doubled the lead in the 42nd minute with a low shot that found 
the net after beating the Bangladesh's custodian Zico.

Back with a healthy 2-0 lead, Bahrain resumed the second half and continued 
their onslaught but the boys in red and green were firm and could not allow 
mighty Bahrain to penetrate the net further.

During the proceeding, Bangladesh, however, got only scoring opportunity when 
skipper Jamal Bhuyan's free kick narrowly missed the side post in the 31st 
minute. 

Bahrain and Bangladesh have only ever met once before in the 1979 Presidents 
Cup, with the Middle East side winning 2-0.

Bangladesh which placed at group E along with Bahrain Turkmenistan and 
Malaysia in the AFC Asian Cup, will play the second match Turkmenistan on 
June 11 and meet host Malaysia on June 14.

On the other hand, Bahrain will now face Malaysia on Saturday before meeting 
Turkmenistan next Tuesday in the third and last match the qualifying contest.

The group winners' automatically go through to the finals.

Bangladesh squad - Anisur Rahman Yeasin Arafat, Tutul Hossain Badsha, 
Biswanath Ghosh, Rion Hossain, Jamal Bhuyan, Biplo Ahmed, Atiqur Rahman, 
Mohammad Ibrahim, Sazzad Hossain and Rakib Hossain.