Bangladesh started their campaign in the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers with a 0-1 defeat against Palestine at the Dasarath

Stadium in Kathmandu yesterday.

A 78th minute strike by Haytham Theeb from a goalmouth melee decided the tie in favour of the Middle Eastern nation, who are ranked 16 places above Bangladesh in the FIFA rankings.

Against the superior-ranked side to whom Bangladesh lost once and drew on the other occasion, coach Lodewijk de Kruif decided to take a defensive strategy, fielding a 4-2-3-1 formation. And it looked like a good move as Bangladesh managed to keep them at bay, thanks to some brilliant saves from goalie Shahidul Islam Sohel.

Bangladesh could have taken the

lead in the 16th minute when striker Sakhawat Hossain Rony, who was playing as the hitman ahead of strike partner Mithun Chowdhury, found the opposition goalie in a one-on-one situation. However, the Abahani striker who has been in excellent form for his club of late but has a history of wasting chances at international level, blasted his shot way over the post. The first-half was a much even affair as both sides tried their luck from outside the box, but the scoreline remained 0-0.

The Palestinians stepped up the attack right from the restart and it was down to some excellent saves by Sohel which gave Bangladesh hope of a draw if not a shock win. However, Sohel could do nothing when the Palestinians took advantage of some miscommunication in the Bangladesh backline in the 78th minute. Abu Salah's cross from the right side was headed into the box by

Iyad, and as the defenders failed to clear the ball, Haytham pounced on it to put it at the back of the net.

Bangladesh tried to get back in the match after that and made a couple of changes up front, but the Palestinians held firm for three preciouspoints.

Bangladesh coach de Kruif hoped that his boys would learn from their mistakes and bounce back against Nepal in the next match on Monday.

"We conceded the goal because of a defensive mistake. Otherwise it was a good game for us. We had a couple of good chances, Rony missed an easy one," said de Kruif.

He also said that his side lost their concentration at the later stages.

"We lost our concentration in the last minutes. We will have to be much better in defensive organisation," said de Kruif.

The Dutchman also admitted that the chance that Rony missed was a

crucial one, but said that even the best players in the world make mistakes.

Palestinian coach Jamal Mahmud gave credit to Bangladesh for playing well, but said his side could only apply 50 per cent of their potential.

Meanwhile, in the second match of the day, hosts Nepal thrashed Northern Mariana Island 6-0, thanks to a hattrick from Bharat Khawas.

Palestine play their next match against Northern Mariana Island also on Monday.