Sheffield United midfielder Hamza Choudhury marked his home debut with a goal as Bangladesh secured a convincing 2-0 win over Bhutan in their FIFA international friendly match at the renovated and jam-packed National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday.
The home team scored in either half of the game as Hamza gave Bangladesh the lead with a towering header from a corner curled in by captain Jamal Bhuyan in the very fifth minute of the game.
Midfielder Sohel Rana Sr doubled Bangladesh鈥檚 lead with a left-footed pile-driver from outside the box in the 49th minute.
Italy-based striker Fahamedul Islam made his Bangladesh debut with the match before he was replaced with another debutant forward, Al-Amin, in the 59th minute. Forward Rakib Hossain also paved the way for forward Foysal Ahmed Fahim at the same time.听
Apart from Fahamedul and Al Amin, Mohammedan Sporting Club defender Taj Uddin also made his national team debut in this match.
The midfield trio, Hamza, Jamal, and Syed Shah Quazem, were substituted at the beginning of the second half, making way for Md Ridoy, Shekh Morsalin, and forward Mohammad Ibrahim. In the 68th minute, defender Tariq Kazi was substituted for defender Shakil Ahad Topu.
Bhutan started the game with a defensive approach as they fielded no forwards in their line-up, but they tried to have success with some long shots and tested Bangladesh goalkeeper Mitul Marma twice in the second half.
Mitul denied Bhutan midfielder Pema Zangmo鈥檚 free-kick attempt in the 73rd minute by fisting the ball over the crosspiece before blocking substitute midfielder Jigme Namgyal鈥檚 shot in the 90th minute.
This was the 17th meeting between the two sides since September 1984, with Bangladesh raising their winning tally to 13 against two draws and two losses.
In making six substitutions, Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera tested his players' approach during this match in preparation for their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers against Singapore, which will take place at the same venue on June 10.
Meanwhile, Canada-based midfielder Shamit Shome, who arrived in the city from Canada on Wednesday, was rested for the match and enjoyed the game sitting beside sports advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, among others.
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