Bangladesh aim to fix finishing woes ahead of Maldives rematch

Bangladesh's opening match of the current FIFA window ended in disappointment, as they were handed a 1-0 loss by the Maldives at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Wednesday.

Despite controlling possession and creating a host of attacking opportunities, Bangladesh's inability to capitalise on these chances left them frustrated and ultimately empty-handed.

The result will no doubt serve as a sobering reminder for Javier Cabrera's side as they look to improve in the upcoming fixture.

The only goal of the match arrived early on, with Maldives' Ali Fasir finding the back of the net in the 16th minute through a well-taken header from a free-kick. Bangladesh had no answer after that, repeatedly spurning opportunities in front of goal.

Ali Suzain, the Maldives head coach, hailed the win as historic, saying, "After 45 years, today is the first time the Maldives has won in Bangladesh. I want to extend a special thanks to the Maldives team for this achievement."

Missed Chances and a Struggle to Find Finishing Touch

From the outset, Bangladesh appeared to be the aggressor, advancing on the Maldives' half and attempting to break through the defensive line. Morsalin and Rakib, leading the forward line, made repeated runs into the box, showing great intent but lacking the clinical touch needed to convert their efforts into goals.

In a moment emblematic of their struggles, Morsalin had a promising opportunity in the 77th minute but could only manage a weak shot, which was comfortably saved by Maldives' goalkeeper Hussein Sharif. Then, just minutes later in the 85th, another opportunity for Morsalin went begging as he failed once more to find the back of the net. These missed chances epitomised the evening's frustrations for Bangladesh, as their finishing touch was simply not there to reward their hard work.

Not all moments were missed opportunities. Sohel Rana nearly brought Bangladesh level with a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box just before half-time, only for it to ricochet off the post. Moments like this kept hopes alive, yet the elusive goal never materialised. Another close call came in the 74th minute when Jonny's attempt was blocked by Sharif, but the opportunity went unclaimed.

Cabrera's Response to Disappointment and Focus on Improvement

Head coach Javier Cabrera, despite the loss, expressed pride in his team's efforts and emphasised their fighting spirit, although he did not hide his disappointment. "The loss to the Maldives is disappointing. We created many opportunities but couldn't convert them. I'm proud of the way the boys played. However, this defeat makes the path to the Asian Cup a bit tougher, with various factors now coming into play," he said in the post-match press conference.

Cabrera acknowledged that Bangladesh played with notable resilience and intent, but the lack of key midfielders like Jamal Bhuiyan and Tariq Kazi was apparent. Rakib Ahmed put in an impressive shift on the right wing, repeatedly delivering promising balls into the box, though none were converted by the strikers. Reflecting on this, Cabrera added, "We need to work on our finishing. It's one thing to create opportunities, but the real challenge lies in making the most of them."

When asked about the recent success of Bangladesh's women's team, who won the SAFF Championship, Cabrera expressed his pride: "I am proud of the women's achievements. I watched every match they played in the SAFF Championship, and they were fantastic. The men's team played well too, but they couldn't find the back of the net."

Historic Moment for Maldives and Suzain's Perspective

The result was a proud moment for Maldives coach Ali Suzain, who described the victory as "a historic win" for Maldivian football. The win marked the first time the Maldives defeated Bangladesh on Bangladeshi soil, a fact Suzain relished, saying, "There was once a significant gap between the two teams, but in the last three to four years, we're nearly on par."

Suzain also admitted that his team's fitness levels were not yet where they needed to be, despite their success. "Our players have played in a few island-based tournaments, and Maziya competed in the AFC Challenge League. However, our players' fitness is not yet at an international level," he noted.

For all the Maldives' success, however, the outcome could have been different if Bangladesh had been more clinical. The Maldives' goal was somewhat against the run of play, and although they had shown signs of danger, particularly through Naiz Hassan's early interception, Bangladesh were in control for large stretches.

Looking Ahead to the Next Match

As Bangladesh prepares for the second fixture on 16 November, Cabrera and his players are undoubtedly focusing on sharpening their finishing. While Bangladesh's domination in terms of possession and opportunities provided a positive foundation, it is clear that their inability to convert chances was a glaring issue in the opening match.

The key to improving will be in seizing those critical moments, whether it's Morsalin finding his range in front of goal or more support arriving from the midfield to alleviate the pressure on the forward line. Cabrera has work to do in restoring confidence in the attack, but his belief in the team's potential remains evident.

There will also be hopes that returning players like Jamal Bhuiyan and Tariq Kazi can add stability to the midfield, an area that was notably weaker in their absence. With an additional week of training, Cabrera may be able to make adjustments to turn Bangladesh's attacking promise into a more lethal presence on the field.

In the second match, Bangladesh will have a chance to prove they can translate possession into goals and build on their positive approach from the first game. As Cabrera and his team return to Bashundhara Kings Arena, they'll be keen to leave this frustration behind, focusing on a much-needed response in front of their home fans