Dhaka: Bangladesh national team started off their SAFF Suzuki Cup 2018 campaign with a win beating Bhutan 2-0 in the second match of Group A at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Tuesday evening.

The Red and Greens kicked the game off on the front foot and earned a penalty only three minutes into the match.

Experienced campaigner Topu Barman converted the spot kick with sheer composure to give hosts the lead.

The first half ended with Bangladesh only a goal to the good despite their numerous attacks.

After the break, Bangladesh again hit Bhutan hard right after the kick-off.

In the 47th minute, forward Mahbubur Rahman Sufil ran onto a lob through on the right hand side of the box and beat the Bhutan goalkeeper with a thunderous right-footed volley across the goal.

Bangladesh, however, did not sit on their laurels after getting the two-goal cushion and continued to keep the Bhutan defence busy.

The men in orange did tried to formulate some attacks towards the end of the match only to be thwarted y the Bangladesh defence.

With the win, Bangladesh now sits comfortable at the top of the table with 3 points and +2 goals to their name while Pakistan stay second with 3 points but a goal difference of +1.

The Pakistanis beat Nepal 2-1 in the first match of Group A and indeed the competition.

Bimal Gharti Magar (82′) scored for Nepal while goals from Muhammad Riaz (36′ pen) and Mohammad Ali Dabous (90+6′) gave Pakistan a last gasp win.

Bhutan and Nepal will square off at 4:00pm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Thursday, September 6 to stay in the tournament while Bangladesh and Pakistan will lock horns at 7:00pm on the same day to ensure a place in the semis.