Bangladesh secured a 2-0 victory over Bhutan in a FIFA international friendly football match. Premier League player Hamza Choudhury scored on his debut on home soil, marking a memorable moment.
The other goal came from midfielder Sohel Rana. The red-and-green representatives made the return of international football to the national stadium after a long break a memorable one with a win. This victory also boosts the morale of Javier Cabrera’s team ahead of their upcoming match against Singapore.
The match took place on Wednesday (June 4) at the National Stadium, with both teams facing off in an international fixture at this venue for the first time in over four years. With this win, Bangladesh avenged their narrow 1-0 loss to Bhutan last September.
From the start, the hosts played with an attacking mindset. In the 6th minute, the crowd erupted in celebration when Hamza Choudhury rose to head in a corner taken by Jamal Bhuyan. The 27-year-old defensive midfielder scored in only his second match for Bangladesh, giving the team a 1-0 lead going into halftime.
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After the break, coach Javier Cabrera made three substitutions, replacing Hamza, Kazem, and Jamal with Mohammad Ibrahim, Sheikh Morsalin, and Mohammad Hridoy. Just four minutes into the second half, Rakib Hossain delivered a cross from the right, which Bhutan’s defender Yeshi failed to clear properly. The ball fell to Sohel Rana, who doubled the lead with a brilliant left-footed volley.
With 30 minutes remaining, the home coach made more changes, bringing on Faisal Ahmed Fahim and Al Amin in place of Fahim and Rakib. This match marked Al Amin’s debut for the Bangladesh national team.
Toward the end of the game, Bangladesh had more chances to extend the lead, but despite getting past the Bhutanese defense, the forwards couldn’t beat the goalkeeper to add another goal. In the end, no further goals were scored, and the hosts walked away with a convincing 2-0 victory.
