Playing without Hamza Choudhury and Shamit Shome, Bangladesh could not make much headway. Nepal, too, delivered only a modest performance. As a result, neither goalkeeper had to face much of a test. Just as it began, the match ended goalless.
Today (Saturday), at the Dasharath Rangasala in Kathmandu, Bangladesh drew 0-0 with Nepal in the first of the two-match FIFA friendly series.
Bangladesh’s Spanish coach Javier Cabrera trusted Sujon Hossain in goal instead of Mitul Marma. In front of him, Tapu Barman partnered with Tariq Kazi at center-back. Saad Uddin played at right-back, while Rahmat Mia was deployed at left-back. In midfield, captain Jamal Bhuyan and Sohel Rana took charge. Ibrahim played on the right wing, Rakib Hossain on the left, and Sumon Reza led the line. But throughout the 90 minutes, the much-awaited goal never came.
Although Jamal Bhuyan found the net early in the match, it was ruled out for offside. From Jamal’s corner, Tapu’s header was blocked by Kiran Chemjong Limbu. The rebound fell to Jamal, who again struck into the net, but once more it was canceled for offside.
In the 30th minute, Mani Kumar’s long free-kick was met by a header from Jung Karki, which Sujon Hossain dived low to save, before Tariq Kazi cleared the danger. Three minutes later, another free-kick from Mani Kumar went untouched. In the 34th minute, Saad Uddin conceded a free-kick just outside the box, but Mani Kumar’s attempt was comfortably collected by Sujon. In the 39th minute, Rahmat’s long corner was initially parried by the keeper, and on the rebound, Sumon Reza failed to keep his shot on target.
Bangladesh returned from the break with one change, replacing the ineffective Ibrahim with Shah Raiyan Emon. In the 72nd minute, Sumon Reza’s cross from the left found Rakib, but his header went well wide. Four minutes later, substitute Taj Uddin unleashed a long-range strike that slipped through the Nepali keeper’s hands, but with no one nearby to capitalize, the danger passed.
Both teams traded attacks and counterattacks, but in the end, neither side could find the back of the net.
