DHAKA, Jan 22, 2020 (BSS)- A lone goal by Layth Kharoub helped defending champions Palestine to move into the final of Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football tournament beating Seychelles in the first semifinal held on Wednesday at Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Palestine will now play the final against second semifinal winners
either Bangladesh or Burundi scheduled to be held on Saturday (January 25) at
the same venue.
Seychelles launched early attacks in the beginning of the match and
missed some scoring chances. They got the first scoring chance in the 8th as
Gervais Wayle-Hive, despite standing at a vantage position, failed to send
the ball home before the open net.
They got the second scoring chance in the 33rd minute when Karl Hall’s
long range lofted shot went inch over the cross bar.
After the resumption, both the teams were desperate to break the
deadlocks launching attacks and counter attacks but failed to convert goals
lack of proper finishing.
However midfielder Layth Kharoub finally broke the deadlock scoring the
all-important goal in the 79th minute. Taking pass from right wing Kharoub
ran down in the danger zone and sent the ball home with a perfect angular
shot giving no chance to Seychelles custodian Ian Ah-Kong.
The result could have been 2-0 if Khaled Salem’s lofted shot from
handshake distance off a pass from Mohamed Darwish would not sailed inch over
the cross bar in the dying moment of the match after Seychelles custodian Ian
Ah-Kong fisted it at a cost of corner.
Seychelles played good football all through the proceeding but probably
lady luck did not smile for them as the missed several scoring chances lack
of proper finishing especially in the first half.
On the other hand, Palestine utilized the chance and came out to the
field taking the day’s triumph.
Earlier, title contender Palestine maintained their winning run in the
group stage and emerged as group A champions. They blanked Bangladesh by 2-0
goals in their tournament opening match and confirmed the spot of semifinal
as the group champions beating Sri Lanka by the same margin.
On the other hand, African nation Seychelles lost to Burundi by 3-1
goals in their opening group match but played out to a 2-2 goals draw against
Mauritius in their second and last group match.
Despite the equal point with Mauritius they moved to the last four stage
as group runners-up by virtue of conceding less goal difference against group
B champions Burundi.
Thursday’s match: Bangladesh vs Burundi at 5 pm.