Nepal played the football they had planned in the first half. Bangladesh, even with Hamza Chowdhury at home, could not play a strong football against them. Javier Cabrera’s team ended the first half 1-0 behind. Rohit Chand scored the goal for Nepal.
Coach Javier Cabrera made three changes from the XI that played in the last Hong Kong match last October. He kept Shamit Shome, Shakil Ahad Tapu and the injured Sheikh Morsalin in the starting XI. He kept captain Jamal Bhuiyan, Faisal Ahmed Fahim and Sohel Rana Jr. in the starting XI.
Sohel Rana Jr. could not head Fahim’s cross in the 10th minute at the National Stadium. In the 25th minute, Rakib and Fahim did not coordinate well, so the door to the goal did not open.
Rohit Chand gave Nepal the lead in the 29th minute from Sumit Shrestha’s cutback. Bangladesh goalkeeper Mitul Marma jumped but could not stop the shot that bit the ground.
Bangladesh went on the attack in the very next minute. But Nepal captain Kiran Limbu easily blocked Fahim’s shot from Rakib Hossain’s pass.
Although Rakib’s natural position is the right wing, Kabrera played him on the left wing today. Perhaps only he can answer the exact reason. In the 43rd minute, Kiran Limbu palmed Fahim’s head like a loppa ball on Rakib’s cross from the left wing.
