Bangladesh kicked off their SAFF Championship campaign with a 1-0 victory over Bhutan on opening day at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Thursday (November 5).

Despite squandering numerous chances on home soil, a second-half goal from substitute Mohammad Ibrahim secured a winning start for the hosts.

Thomas Dooley's side pressed aggressively from the opening whistle but went into the half-time break frustrated by missed opportunities.

Bangladesh created their first clear threat in the 6th minute when Bhutanese defenders intercepted Rakib Hossain's right-wing cross just before it reached Bishwanath Ghosh.

Jamal Bhuyan collected the rebound, but his powerful strike was blocked by the defense.

Bangladesh threatened again in the 18th minute, with Bishwanath heading wide from another Rakib cross.

Seven minutes later, Bishwanath wasted a golden chance, failing to direct his shot on target despite finding space in front of goal.

In the 39th minute, he faced only the Bhutan goalkeeper but dragged his angled shot wide.

Bhutan registered their first attempt on goal a minute later, though goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Srabon gathered the ball comfortably.

Just before the break in the 44th minute, Jamal's free-kick was flicked on by Samit Som, but neither Zidan Yusuf nor Saad Uddin could make contact at the far post, keeping the game goalless at the interval.

The breakthrough came in the 64th minute when Ibrahim was introduced from the bench.

Just four minutes after coming on, the forward scored with a volley following a dual-header sequence inside the box off a cross from Zayan Ahmed, sending the home crowd into celebration.

Bhutan pressed forward desperately for an equalizer in the closing stages, but Bangladesh held firm while threatening on counter-attacks to preserve their 1-0 lead until the final whistle.