Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dhaka: Hosts Bangladesh and Tajikistan played out to a 1-1 draw at their 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup joint-qualifiers match at Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday.
The first half finished goalless before Jahid Hasan Ameli scored just five minutes after the re-start to give Bangladesh the lead.
De Kruif-led Bangladesh, who opened their Round 2 qualifying with a 3-1 loss to Kyrgyzstan, looked set for a win until the Tajiks equalised through Fathullo Fathuloev three minutes from the final whistle.
The participating teams will compete according to a double round robin format, with the Round 2 qualification matches being held between June 11, 2015 and March 29, 2016.
The group winners and four best runners-up (total 12 teams) will advance to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup finals and the final round of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The next best 24 teams from the preliminary stage of the joint qualifiers will compete in a separate competition for the remaining slots (12 slots or 11 slots + 1 slot for the host) in the 24-team 2019 Asian Cup.
Photo: AFP