Booters celebrate return with clinical win

Bangladesh made a winning return to international football amid the coronavirus pandemic, handing Nepal a 2-0 defeat in the first of two international friendlies at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

After missing out on January's Bangabandhu Gold Cup, striker Nabib Newaj Jibon celebrated his return to national colours with a superb goal in the first half before substitute Mahbubur Rahman Sufil wrapped up victory 10 minutes from time to ensure Bangladesh's first win over the Himalayan outfit in five years. Bangladesh last beat Nepal in a friendly match in Dhaka as part of their preparation for the 2015 SAFF Championship in Kerala, India.

All concerns about attendance were extinguished by the presence of more than 8,000 enthusiastic spectators who packed the big bowl, inspiring the booters to a morale-boosting win after eight months' break from the game due to the pandemic. 

On the less auspicious side, the spectators were hardly maintaining social distance and very few were wearing masks as they beat drums and waved the national flag to cheer the boys in red and green. The players appreciated the support, with skipper Jamal Bhuiyan venturing close to the fence to greet the adoring crowd after the match.

Heading into the match, both sides said the focus would be on quality of performance rather than result. The match was a hard-fought one, but the hosts looked better in terms of fitness and cohesion.

Nepal, who got less than two weeks to prepare, appeared slower than their usual pace but they were nonetheless impressive when building the game from behind even without five to six vital payers who either chose not to come or tested Covid-19 positive.

Bangladesh head coach Jamie Day brought four changes to the squad that played against Burundi in January during the Bangabandhu Gold Cup, with goalkeeper Anisur Rahamn Zico and striker Suman Reza making their international debuts.

As per the commitment to give players more match time before the World Cup qualifier against Qatar in December, the British coach also sent five pairs of fresh legs after the break in place of Suman, Jamal Bhuiyan, Manik Mollah, Nabib Newaj Jibon and Yeasin Khan and Bangladesh looked a bit better in the last 15 minutes with Sufil scoring a brilliant strike.

Having the edge in fitness, Bangladesh looked positive from the word go and did not allow the opponents any space inside the danger area while Abahani duo -- Jibon and Saad Uddin – appeared to have a good understanding as Jibon put Bangladesh ahead in the 10th minute after a brilliant run and nutmeg from Saad in the right flank.

Jibon went close again but his volley went inches wide on the half-hour mark after Ravishankar Paswan spoiled a nice opportunity to level the margin.

After resumption, both sides sent fresh legs and Nepal created two or three good chances but could not convert those before Sufil, availing a timely through-pass from substitute Sohel Rana, embarked on a brilliant run to the box from the left flank before placing a curving shot to the far post to seal victory in the 80th minute.

The second and final match will take place on Tuesday.