An own goal gave Bangladesh 1-0 victory over Kyrgyzstan U-23 as they made a winning start in the Three Nations Cup football tournament that kicked off at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwor on Tuesday.

The victory over the Kyrgyz youth team put Bangladesh at ease for their next fixture. Kyrgyzstan will meet hosts Nepal in the last group match of the campaign. Bangladesh could seal a place for the final if hosts Nepal beat Kyrgyzstan in the next match of the tournament on Thursday.

Bangladesh, who started with three debutant players, piled pressure from the early moments and had a dominating ball possession. They were rewarded for their effort during the half-hour mark when they were gifted an own goal.

Kyrgyzstan central defender Kumarbaj Uulu Baiman shot at his own net from the six-yard box in his effort to clear Bangladesh forward Md Saad Uddin right flank cross. The only goal separated the two sides as the central Asian country came closer to scoring late in the second half.

"My players were playing against an experienced side and the first half was a bit confusing. But they believed in their ability in the second half and played well. But we failed to utilise our scoring chances," said Kyrgyzstan coach Zholdoshov Nurbek, who lamented a short preparation time for the tournament. He also pointed out that the opponents played with the strategy to 'hold match' once they were on the scoresheet.

Bangladesh created another chance in the 63rd but only for the speeding defender Bishwant Ghosh to tap Rakib Hossain cross wide from the area.

Kyrgyzstan substitute forward Artyakaeb Ryskeldi perfectly chest-controlled a pass in the 80th minute at the edge of the area before firing high above the bar.

Bangladesh survived scare twice in the stoppage time when their defender Riyadul Hasan made a towering header to clear Kyrgyz Zhaprov Amir's perfect freekick. Kyrgyzstan threatened yet again a few seconds before the final whistle and missed a golden chance to equalise as Tashiev Kamolidin's header sailed inches above the bar from the crowded six-yard box in a corner taken by Zhaparov Amir.

Bangladesh skipper Sohel Rana was declared the man of the match and won a purse of $250 along with gift hampers.

Bangladesh's British coach James Day was delighted with the win and said it was a good test for his experimental side.

"We won and also managed to keep clean sheets," the coach, who also made four substitutions, said. "We have used players to see who were good to play in the World Cup Qualifiers match [in June]."

The Briton also pointed out the finishing problem at his team. "There were problems in finishing in Bangladeshi football for a long time and to change that there must be a change in domestic football," he added.

The tournament features three teams including hosts Nepal. The top two finishers after the round robin league will progress into the final. Nepal will vie against Kyrgyzstan U-23 on Thursday and Bangladesh on Saturday in the final league round game. The winners and runners up will bag purses of $5,000 and $3,000 respectively.