Pakistan went down 3-0 in the away leg of their encounter against Bangladesh as they kicked off their 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers campaign in Dhaka.
Pakistan, whose preparations were hampered due to persistent rain, never got going as they conceded two goals in the first-half. Zahid Hasan Emily scored the opener in the 17th minute before Mohammad Zahid Hosain doubled the lead for Bangladesh five minutes later.
Opportunities came Pakistan’s way after the second-half but the tourists failed to capitalise. Rethul Karim added insult to wounds as he scored his side’s third goal that sealed the win in the 56th minute.
Pakistan face Bangladesh on July 3 in the second leg of the qualifier that will be played in Lahore and need to win by atleast a four-goal margin to progress to the second round.
“We could have played better,” Pakistan coach Tariq Lutfi told The Express Tribune. “But the weather helped Bangladesh.”
Bangladesh are ranked 163rd in the Fifa world rankings ahead of Pakistan, who are at the 168th position.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 30th, 2011.
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