Dhaka: Forward Rabiul Hasan is aiming to continue his scoring form when Bangladesh take on Laos in the return leg of their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification tie on Tuesday.
Hasan came off the bench in the 55th minute and had an immediate impact on Thursday's first leg in Vientiane as he unsettled Laos with his piercing runs.
Sixteen minutes in, he scored what would prove the winning goal, one that could well take Bangladesh into the second phase of the Asian Qualifiers.
“It gives me immense pleasure and happiness to think that the team won due to my goal. My happiness knows no bounds at the moment,” Hasan said to local media.
The 19-year-old Arambagh KS player said the win had made spending the Eid celebrations away from home worth it.
“We spent our Eid away from home. This win makes the hard work and sacrifice worth it. I am pleased to have made my countrymen happy,” the forward said.
Asian Qualifiers: Laos v Bangladesh
Bangladesh head coach Jamie Day, in praising Hasan - who was booked after scoring for taking his jersey off, reminded the player that he has still much to learn from.
“Rabiul has the potential to be a good player,” Day said. “What Rabiul has to learn is not to get carried away, keep his feet on the ground and listen to older players like Jamal [Bhuiyan] and Mamunul [Islam],” Day said.
Day, who recently renewed his contract, also praised goalkeeper goalkeeper Ashraful Islam Rana and the Bangladesh defenders, who kept Laos at bay in the first half when the home team were in the ascendancy.
“Rana was fantastic in the first half dealing with the set-pieces and crosses. We defended well against set-pieces but I felt we were a bit hesitant,” said Day, who admitted he was not totally satisfied with Bangladesh's performance.
“Sometimes it’s good to win and not play well. Laos are a good side and showed that in good spells of the game. They might feel a little unlucky while we need to make sure we improve in order to qualify,” the Englishman added.
Photos: Bangladesh Football Federation, Lao Football Federation
Source: the-afc.com