Bangladesh, Nepal friendly football matches on Nov 13, 17

Two international friendly football matches between Nepal and Bangladesh are scheduled to be held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka on November 13 and 17.

Nepali sports fraternity believes that the games will be of significant importance for all of Nepali sporting world, reports Kathmandu Post.

Nepali national football team has already left for Dhaka to play the matches.

The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) had bid a farewell to the 34-member team at the Tribhuvan University International Airport on 5 November.

Nepali sports have come to complete standstill from March since the country went into nationwide lockdown. No domestic or international sports events have taken place since then leaving aside few virtual martial arts games.

"The matches will have significant importance for Nepali sports fraternity and especially football because it will bring football back on the pitch," said Nepal's caretaker coach Bal Gopal Maharjan from Dhaka after the team landed in Bangladesh on Thursday.

Prior to the departure the Nepali players had a week-long training from October 29.

The Nepali team had lost only once in their last five meetings with the South Asian opponent Bangladesh since 2011.

While Nepal won three, Bangladesh won one and the other finished in a 1-1 draw.

 The last time the two sides played was during 2018 SAFF Championship in Dhaka which saw Nepal beat the hosts 2-0.

ANFA President Karma Tsering Sherpa believes the friendlies would be a stepping stone to resume football.