Kyrgyzstan 3-0 Bangladesh

Kyrgyzstan tore apart an exhausted Bangladesh 3-0 yesterday to stay alive for a final berth in the Nehru Cup.

Vadim Herchenko was unstoppable and the winger exploited the tired legs of the Bangladesh defenders to set up a brace for Hurshid Lutfullaev and one goal for Ruslan Djamshidov, the striking duo who toured Bangladesh during the AFC Challenge Cup in April last year.

With two wins from three matches, Kyrgyzstan now face a must win situation against hosts India, who also have six points but enjoy a better goal difference.

Ruslan wasted an early chance against Bangladesh, who ended their campaign with three defeats in four games inside just seven days, retained the same line-up from their 1-1 draw against Cambodia two days earlier.

After the wake-up call, Syed Nayeemuddin's boys took brief control with strings of passes and Zahid Hossain hammered the ball inches wide from 30 yards in the 26th minute.

Two minutes later, makeshift rightback Ariful unnecessarily lingered with the ball and conceded a corner which helped Kyrgyzstan go ahead when Hurshid, crowded by three defenders, stabbed in a low cross by Herchenko.

Bangladesh's first shot on target, a freekick by Alfaz just after interval, went straight to goalkeeper Maxim.

A counter attack in 54th minute doubled the lead for the central Asians as Hurshid's diving header from seven yards on a right-flank centre by Herchenko gave Biplab no chance.

Three minutes later, Herchenko's attempted cross deflected off Rajani to Ruslan who made no mistake to shoot a left-footer on the turn into the low left corner of Biplab.

Emily came close twice in the last 15 minutes to reduce the arrears but the Bangladesh striker failed to nod a Rajani freekick before placing wide from a tight angle.