Sabita, Preeti score in 2-1 win over Bangladesh

  • 2021-09-09

Forward Sabita Rana and Preeti Rai scored as Nepal defeated Bangaldesh 2-1 in the first friendly match at Dasharath Stadium on Thursday.

Rana headed in Nepal's first in the 13th minute after receiving the cross from Bimala Chaudhary. Rai slotted in the second in the 23rd minute to give a 2-0 lead.

Rai could have added her second in the 49th but her shot was blocked by Bangladesh's Rupna Chakma. Substitute Tohura Khatun halved Nepali advantage in the 83rd minute as Bangladesh pushed Nepal back in the second half.

Bangladesh's head coach Golam Robbani Choton said his players were playing after a long period of time and played well. "There were two mistakes in the first half and we got behind. The girls came back in the second half and played really well," said Choton. He said they can learn from the mistakes and hoped to get better in the second friendly.

Nepal's head coach Gary Phillips said his players got tired in the second half. "Starting with the positives, I was happy with some of the football we played but clearly we did not play enough. There were some good moments in the game and the second goal was a good example of football we can play," he said.

Phillips said they struggled a bit to keep Bangladesh out but showed plenty of fighting spirit and there were plenty of action and positives to take from the match.

Goalscorer and Player-of-the-Match Preeti  was content with the result but pointed on areas to improve in next match. "We scored after good build up but we will try to improve on multiple areas in next match," she said.

The second friendly will also be played at Dasharath Stadium on Sunday.

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