Bangladesh conceded a 0-2 defeat to a superior Bahrain in the opening Group E match of the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifiers at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur Wednesday.
The result of the Bangladesh- Bahrain football match in the President's Cup Football in Seoul 1979, when Bangladesh suffered a 0-2 defeat, was repeated today.
The No. 188-ranked Bangladesh played out a goalless draw against the No. 159-ranked Indonesia in a FIFA international friendly in Bandung, West Java last Wednesday.
Despite conceding two goals within eight minutes, the men in red and green put up a good fight against the No. 89-ranked Bahrain.
READ: AFC Asian Cup: Bangladesh to play stronger Bahrain on Wednesday
In the day's match, midfielder Ali Abdula Haram put Bahrain ahead in the 32nd minute with a spectacular header, using a corner kick of Komail Alaswad (1-0).
Midfielder Komail Hasan Al Aswad scored the second goal for the Gulf nation in the 42nd minute (2-0).
Foiling several Bahrain attempts, four in the first half, Bangladesh goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico again showed his brilliance.
Bahrain earned a well-deserved victory, but Bangladesh showed a good mentality and played well in the second half.
Earlier, Bangladesh were placed in strong Group E of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers with Bahrain, Turkmenistan, and hosts Malaysia. They will play against Turkmenistan on June 11 and will face hosts Malaysia on June 14.