Bangladesh beat the Maldives 2-1 to progress to the main round of World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday.

Bangladesh couldn’t hold the lead despite going ahead at the Bashundhara Kings Arena today.

Attacking pair Rakib Hossain and Faysal Ahmed Fahim netted one each before Bangladesh reduced to 10 men but managed to keep hold onto the lead to secure 3-2 win on aggregate.

Bangladesh will now play six more qualifying matches in the group stage of second round over next eight months facing Australia, Palestine and Lebanon at home and away.

The away match against Palestine is scheduled to be held in Algeria due to war between Israel and Hamas in the Arab land.

Javier Cabrera made only one change from the last tie as Saad Uddin was rewarded with a starting spot for his equalizing goal in Male last week, in place of Isa Faysal on left back.

Rakib gave the home side the breakthrough in the 11th minute with a volley from the edge of six yards after a precise cross from Fahim from the left side.

Three minutes later, Fahim saw his volley tipped away by the Maldives goalkeeper Hussain Shareef for a corner.

The Maldives keeper denied Rakib on one-on-one with a stretched leg and prevented Bangladesh from extending the lead just before the half hour mark.

Mitul Marma, who made international debut during the first leg after replacing suspended first choice goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico, produced a decent save against Hamza Mohamed’s shot at the near post.

Rakib and Fahim continued posing threats on the Maldives defence with pace and skill as the former saw his effort bounce over following a Jamal Bhuiyan cross.

The Maldives found it difficult to deal with substitute Mojibur Rahman Jony as their defender Ahnaf Rasheed received a red card in injury time for a foul on Jony on the last-man line.

Bangladesh will open their second round campaign against Australia away on November 16 before hosting Lebanon on November 21.

BDST: 2026 HRS, OCT 17, 2023
MSK