Dhaka: Bangladesh have secured the top spot in Group A of the ongoing SAFF Suzuki Cup 2018 after they beat Pakistan 1-0 in their second match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Thursday evening.
After a tense and hardly fought match, defender Topu Barman’s 85th-minute header proved to be the difference between the two teams.
Topu is now the solo top scorer of the 12th edition of the tournament with 2 goals to his name.
Thursday’s win also saw Bangladesh achieve another feat – they have more win over Pakistan now. In the 17 matches the two teams have faced each other, Bangladesh have won seven, Pakistan six and four ended in a draw.
Bangladesh are ahead against Pakistan in SAFF record also with three victories. Pakistan have won two while two matches have ended in a tie.
At the moment, Bangladesh sit pretty at the top with 6 points and a goal difference of +3 whereas Nepal, who beat Bhutan 4-0 earlier in the day, sit behind Bangladesh at second spot with 3 points from their 2 matches with a goal difference of +3.
Pakistan, even after having 3 points slip to third spot as they have an inferior goal difference of 0 whereas Bhutan go rock bottom with 0 points and a goal difference of -6.
Bhutan will look to upset Pakistan when they face-off at 4:00pm on Saturday.
Bangladesh and Nepal will square-off against Nepal at 7:00pm on the same day with semi-final berth at stake.
