The Bengal Tigers warmed up well ahead of the upcoming Saff Suzuki Cup with a 1-0 win over Nepal in a Fifa international friendly at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
A first-half goal by Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi striker Shakhawat Hossain Rony was enough for the men in red and green to seal a morale-boosting victory. This was Bangladesh’s first win against the Himalayan nation since their 2-0 triumph in the AFC Challenge Cup two and a half years ago.
The friendly saw Maruful Haque make his bow as the Bangladesh head coach and the former Sheikh Russel KC and Sheikh Jamal tactician could not have asked for a better start.
Maruful however, said following the friendly that he was not fully satisfied with the performance of his charges.
“The players implemented only 30 percent of my plan on the pitch. Hopefully, if the players recover in time, they can increase it to 60 percent in the main tournament in Kerala,” said Maruf, alluding to the 11th edition of the regional competition which gets underway in India this Wednesday. Maruf added that their collective display would have made for better viewing if midfield enforcer Jamal Bhuiyan was not absent.
In Jamal’s absence, experienced defender Atiqur Rahman Meshu made his way into the starting XI but was unable to replicate the expatriate footballer’s near-perfect passing skills.
Skipper Mamunul Islam and Sohel Rana returned to midfield with pacey wingers Zahid Hossain and Hemanta Vincent Biswas deployed on the flanks.
Rony started as the lone striker and he repaid Maruf’s faith by scoring the all-important goal in the 18th minute.
A nice exchange of passes between Meshu, Mamun and Yeamin Munna allowed the latter to enter the opposition terrain through the left flank. Yeamin delivered a precise cross for the unmarked Rony, whose header beat the onrushing Nepalese goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu.
Hemanta could have made it 2-0 five minutes before the first-half whistle but the juvenile midfielder sent the ball flying over the post on a one-on-one situation.
The second half was a dull affair. The visitors put together some attacks but lacked composure in the final third, which was shepherded brilliantly by the commanding presence of Nasir Uddin Chowdhury.
