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Published : 05 Jun 2025, 03:41 AM
Bangladesh produced a slick show with Hamza Chowdhury and Sohel Rana on target to fire past Bhutan 2-0 in a friendly, as football returned to Dhaka National Stadium after a 55-month hiatus.
The win boosted Bangladesh’s confidence going into the home encounter against Singapore in the AFC Asian Cup third-round qualifier, set for Jun 10, at the same stadium.
The win comes as a timely morale boost ahead of Bangladesh’s AFC Asian Cup third-round qualifier against Singapore on Jun 10, also to be held at the same venue.
Hamza, earning only his second cap for Bangladesh after debuting against India in March, opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Rising high to meet a Jamal Bhuiyan corner, he powered home a header that sent the home crowd into early celebrations.
Bhutan looked to respond midway through the first half when Kinga Wangchuk capitalised on a loose ball, forcing a mix-up between defenders Tariq Kazi and Topu Barman. But the duo recovered in time to clear the danger.
Bangladesh nearly doubled their lead in the 28th minute. Rakib Hossain burst down the left flank and squared to Syed Shah Quazem Kirmane, who laid it off for Fahamedul Islam. His shot was on target, but Bhutan’s goalkeeper parried it away with a strong hand.
Coach Javier Cabrera made a trio of substitutions at half-time, introducing Mohammad Ibrahim, Sheikh Morsalin, and Mohammad Ridoy for Hamza, Kirmane, and Bhuiyan.
The changes had immediate impact.
In the 49th minute, Rakib’s cross into the box was poorly cleared by Yeshi Dorji, and Sohel Rana pounced, smashing a left-footed drive past the goalkeeper to double the lead.
Cabrera later brought on Foysal Ahmed Fahim and handed a debut to Al Amin, resting Rakib and Fahamedul for the upcoming qualifier.
Goalkeeper Mitul Marma had little to do but was called into action in the 72nd minute, comfortably saving a well-struck free-kick from the edge of the area.
