Bangladesh put up a strong fight but lost 2-1 to Singapore in their Asian Cup Qualifiers match at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Singapore’s Song Uiyoung opened the scoring just before halftime, and Ikhsan Fandi extended the lead in the 58th minute. Bangladesh’s Rakib Hossain pulled one back in the 67th minute, giving the home side hope. Despite intense pressure for an equalizer, Bangladesh couldn’t find another goal in front of a packed home crowd.

Although Bangladesh struggled in the first half, they remained competitive throughout. In the closing moments, winger Faisal Fahim was denied a penalty, and defender Tariq Kazi’s header went over the bar with the last kick of the match.

With this defeat, Bangladesh now sits third in Group C, behind Singapore and Hong Kong, both on four points, and ahead of India.

MSK/