FIFA Friendlies: Bangladesh off to flying start; outplay Bhutan 4-1

Bangladesh got off to a flying start in the two-match FIFA International Friendly (Tier-1) outplaying upper-ranked Bhutan by 4-1 goals in the first match at floodlit Bangabandhu National Stadium here on Sunday.

Forward Nabib Newaz Ziban scored twice, midfielder Biplu Ahamed and Rabiul Hasan scored one goal each for the hosts while Dorji scored the lone goal for Bhutan.  

The 2nd and last FIFA friendly match between the two teams will be held on October 3 at the same venue.  

Bangladesh booters are preparing for the next matches of Joint Qualification for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 against Qatar in their home match on October 10 at Bangabandhu National Stadium and their away match with India on October 15 at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

As part of the preparations, they are playing two preparatory matches against Bhutan national football team. 

In the day's match, Bangladesh started an attacking football from the very beginning and produced some good chances, putting pressure on the Bhutanese defence. 

In the 10th minute, midfielder Mohammad Ibrahim missed a close chance while Saad Uddin sent the ball to him from outside the box.  

But, the result came just after a minute as forward Ziban opened the Bangladesh account by a good header from the goalmouth melee, utilising a pass of captain cum midfielder Jamal Bhuiyan, off a corner kick taken by Saad Uddin in the 11th minute (1-0).
 
Bangladesh earned another success in the 39th minute when Ziban netted his 2nd goal by an amazing right-footed volley from inside the box, capitalising on midfielder Ibrahim cross (2-0).  

After the half time, touring Bhutan came alive and reduced the margin in the 51st minute when their forward Dorji scored from the danger zone, off a free-kick off midfielder Tshering Dorji (2-1).
 
Bangladesh missed another close chance to widen the margin in the 62nd minute but Bhutanese goalkeeper Ngawng Jamphel denied a long-range left-footed shot by substitute midfielder Md Rabiul Hasan.  

But in the 74th minute, midfielder Biplu Ahamed scored the 3rd goal for Bangladesh by a close-range right footer from inside the box (3-1). 
 
In the 81st minute, Rabiul Hasan sealed the fate of the match by a left-footed low range shot utilising a pass from Biplu Ahamed (4-1).

Bangladesh are currently 41st in AFC and 187th in FIFA rankings while Bhutan 39th in AFC and 185th in FIFA rankings.

Earlier, a 26-member Bhutan national team – 20 players and six officials – arrived here on Friday responding to BFF's invitation to play the two practice matches. 

Bangladesh: Ashraful Islam Rana, Rahmat Mia, Yeasin Khan, Bishwanath Ghosh, Jamal Bhuiyan, Nabib Newaz Jiban, Biplu Ahamed, Saad Uddin, Md Ibrahim (Md Rabiul Hasan-46th minute), Sohel Rana. 

Bhutan:  Ngawng Jamphel, Lungtok Dawa, Jigme Tsdhering Dorjee, Nima Tshering, Chencho Gyeltshen, Dawa Tshering, Tenzin Dorji, Chimi Dorji, Tshering Dorji, Tinley Dorji, Dorji (Kabi Raj Rai-79th). 

Referee:  Md Jalal Uddin