Bangladesh advanced to the second round of the 2026 World Cup and 2027 Asian Cup joint qualifiers after beating the Maldives 2-1 in the return leg of the first round play-off in the capital’s Kings Arena Tuesday (Oct 17). Rakib Hossain and Foysal Ahmed Fahim netted one each before Bangladesh were reduced to 10 men but managed to hold onto the lead to secure 3-2 win on aggregate. Bangladesh will now play six more qualifying matches in the group stage of the second round over the next eight months facing Australia, Palestine and Lebanon at home and away. The away game against Palestine is scheduled to be held in Algeria due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
Javier Cabrera made only one change from the last tie as Saad Uddin was rewarded with a starting spot for his equalizing goal in Male last week, in place of Isa Faysal on left back.
Rakib gave the home side the breakthrough in the 11th minute with a volley from the edge of six yards after a precise cross from Fahim from the left side. Three minutes later, Fahim saw his volley tipped away by the Maldives goalkeeper Hussain Shareef for a corner. The Maldives keeper denied Rakib on one-on-one with a stretched leg and prevented Bangladesh from extending the lead just before the half hour mark.
Mitul Marma, who made international debut during the first leg after replacing suspended goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico, produced a decent save against Hamza Mohamed’s shot at the near post.
Rakib and Fahim continued posing threats on the Maldives defence with pace and skill as the former saw his effort bounce over following a Jamal Bhuiyan cross. Aisam Ibrahim leveled the margin in the 36th minute with a header following a deflected corner.
Fahim was outstanding for the hosts upfront before the 21-year old finally found the back of the net within only a minute after resumption to give Bangladesh the lead. Saad’s cross was fisted away by Shareef and fell to Mohammad Sohel Rana who could not keep control but Fahim was at the right place to get his first international goal. Sohel received his second booking for a sliding challenge and left Bangladesh a man down but it did not cost the home side.
The Maldives found it difficult to deal with substitute Mojibur Rahman Jony as their defender Ahnaf Rasheed received a red card in injury time for a foul on Jony on the last-man line.
Bangladesh will open their second round campaign against Australia away on Nov 16 before hosting Lebanon on Nov 21.
