Bangladesh could not overcome the challenge posed by hosts Bhutan, who leveled the two-match FIFA friendly series with a 1-0 win in the second game at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu Sunday.
As the game appeared to be heading toward a goalless draw in stoppage time, Bhutan’s substitute forward Kinga Wangchuk scored from an unmarked position to secure victory and equalize the series.
Rakib Hossain was left out of the squad due to injury and was replaced by Shahriar Emon in the front line.
Head coach Javier Cabrera made another change from the first encounter, bringing in Isa Faysal for Bishwanath Ghosh.
On the other hand, Bhutan’s Japanese coach Atsushi Nakamura made as many as seven changes to the starting XI from the team that lost 1-0 in the first clash.
The visitors had a chance in the 11th minute when winger Foysal Ahmed Fahim’s shot from inside the box was blocked by a Bhutan defender.
Just after the half-hour mark, Bhutan’s Namgyel Tsheltrim broke into the right side of the box to take a shot, but Mitul Marma tipped it away for a corner.
It was a debut start for Emon in the senior side.
He had two opportunities at the end of the first half, including one set up by Sheikh Morsalin, but both efforts were thwarted by the Bhutan defence inside the box.
Morsalin, who was the hero for Bangladesh in the first match with the winning goal, rarely had any chances to score in the second game.
Cabrera benched skipper Jamal Bhuiyan once again.
In his absence, defender Topu Barman wore the captain’s armband in the first match.
In the second game, midfielder Sohel Rana started as captain.
Jamal came on as a second-half substitute to reclaim the armband, but he could not change the outcome of the match.
