DHAKA: Bangladesh needed to draw the match against Sri Lanka only at Bangabandhu National Stadium on Monday to qualify for the semifinal of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup but they finished the match with a better result.

They beat Sri Lanka by one goal to nil.

Winger Hemant Vincent netted the ball in the 40th minute of the first-half of the match.

Bangladesh striker Emily was the first to take shot at the goalpost but Lankan keeper saved the ball.

Though Bangladesh had a ball possession of 69 percent in the first half, lack of a genuine striker was blatant.

This was the 15th encounter between the two teams, Bangladesh won 10 times, Sri Lanka three times and rest two matches were drawn.

BDST: 1927 HRS, FEB 02, 2015