Sports

Bangladesh Advances After Penalty Shootout, Argentina and Brazil Dominate in Baku

By Md Jabed Ali

Bangladesh secured a place in the next round after a 1-1 draw with Seychelles in regulation time and a 4-2 win in the penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Syed Mofassir Rayat making two decisive saves. The tournament’s group stage has divided teams into tiers based on standings: Bangladesh is in Tier E, Argentina in Tier B and Brazil in Tier A. All matches are played at the Hövsan Competition Complex in Baku, which has been converted into a football hub with 20 pitches numbered 1A to 10B. Matches last 40 minutes, split into two 20‑minute halves, and feature eight players on each side on a 68‑metre by 48‑metre pitch. The compact format allows spectators and media to watch multiple games simultaneously from close quarters.

After Bangladesh’s victory, the writer watched Argentina defeat Bolivia 4‑2 on Pitch 3A, while England lost to Zambia 3‑2 on Pitch 3B. At 2:30 pm, Brazil faced Ireland on Pitch 9A, winning 7‑2; Gabriel Keven scored a hat‑trick and Ariel Richard added two goals. Spain played Wales on Pitch 9B, ending 1‑1 in regulation and winning 4‑3 on penalties. The Spanish match ended with a heated exchange between players that nearly escalated into a physical altercation. The writer met Spain’s coach, David Gordo, who gave a keyring with the Spanish Football Federation logo as a souvenir.

At 5 pm, Bangladesh played Singapore in the Round of 16. The match finished 1‑1 after regulation, and Bangladesh entered a penalty shootout. Bangladesh missed their first spot‑kick but continued to compete in the shootout, determined to advance.