Dhaka: Bangladesh hope of playing final vanished into blue as they suffered a solitary goal defeat to Bahrain in the first semifinal of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football held on Monday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city. 

Bahrain will play the final against the second semifinalists Maldives/ Cambodia on Friday (January 22) to be held at the same venue.

In the day's match, Bangladesh winger Hemonta Vinsent Biswas and provided cut back through the Bahrain defenders but Bangladesh striker Sakhawat Hossain Rony and Mithun Chowdhury failed to capitalize the opportunity missing the line of the ball In the 24th minute.

Bahrain came close of scoring in the In 41st minute as forward Anwar Ali's well-judge left footer free kick was punched out for corner by Bangladeshi custodian Shahidul Alam.

Ebrahim Alhooti finally broke the deadlock in the 45th minute scoring the all-important goal witha brilliant header from close range giving no chance to Bangladesh custodian Shahidul Alam (1-0).

The boys in red and green had a chance to restore the parity in the 52nd minute, but diving Shakawat Rony header off Mithun Chowdhury's cross hit the side post.