Bangladesh football team ended the year 2022 on a disappointing note as they lost 3-1 to hosts Nepal in a Fifa friendly in Kathmandu Tuesday.
This was the men in red and green’s last competitive match this year and Javier Cabrera’s charges failed to make the occasion a memorable one after conceding all three goals in the first half.
Anjan Bista starred for the Himalayan nation with a hat-trick.
Sajjad Hossain’s consolation goal in the second half only reduced the margin for Bangladesh, who had beaten hosts Cambodia by a solitary goal in their first friendly last Thursday.
This was Saif Sporting Club striker Sajjad’s first goal in Bangladesh colors.
The Dasharath Rangasala Stadium last week was the scene of the greatest achievement by the Bangladesh girls yet as they lifted the Saff Championship for the first time after beating Nepal in the final.
But it was roles reversed Tuesday as 176th ranked Nepal grabbed hold of the game in the first half and 192nd placed Bangladesh flattered to deceive.
Cabrera made three changes from the Cambodia clash as Kazi Tariq Raihan, Atiqur Rahman Fahad and Sumon Reza made way for Rimon Hossain, Hemanta Vincent Biswas and Sajjad.
Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra midfielder Hemanta scripted a comeback to the side after five years.
Bangladesh went close to breaking the deadlock in the 16th minute but Jamal Bhuiyan’s free kick came back off the crossbar.
Two minutes later, Nepal took the lead.
Set pieces proved to be Bangladesh’s undoing as two of Nepal’s three goals came from dead ball situation.
Bista headed home after a goalmouth scramble following a Bimal Gharti Magar free kick from the right flank.
Bangladesh could have brought parity in the 26th minute but Nepal goalkeeper Kiron gathered Rakib Hossain’s shot safely.
A minute later the home side made the visitors pay by doubling the lead.
Bangladesh goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico parried away a shot but only at the feet of Bista who found the back of the net.
Bista completed his hat-trick in the 38th minute with another headed goal from a free kick from six yards out.
Sajjad reduced the margin after resumption and although Bangladesh got a few more chances they were let down by their finishing in the final third.
Bangladesh XI: Anisur Rahman Zico, Bishwanath Ghosh, Rimon Hossain (Yeasin Arafat), Tutul Hossain Badshah (Tariq Kazi), Jamal Bhuiyan, Hemanta Vincent Biswas (Atiqur Rahman Fahad), Biplu Ahmed (Suman Reza), Rakib Hossain, Matin Miah (Mohammad Ibrahim), Sajjad Hossain (Foysal Ahmed)