Hamza Choudhury scored his first international brace as Bangladesh came from behind to play out a 2-2 draw against Nepal in a FIFA friendly at the National Stadium, Dhaka, on Thursday.
Rohit Chand gave Nepal a first-half lead before Hamza struck twice, including a spectacular bicycle kick, to engineer a remarkable comeback soon after the break.
Nepal’s defender Ananta Tamang scored in stoppage time to script a dramatic ending.
Hamza, Leicester City’s star midfielder, was influential across the pitch, covering positions from defence to defensive midfield, and from central to attacking midfield.
His first goal came in the 46th minute, as Bangladesh launched an all-out attack at the start of the second half. A looping pass from skipper Jamal Bhuiyan met Hamza in the left box, and without hesitation, he executed an overhead kick that stunned everyone and sent the home fans into jubilant celebration. Replays showed the goal from every angle — a delight to watch.
Four minutes later, Hamza converted a penalty to double Bangladesh’s advantage. The penalty was awarded after Rakib Hossain was fouled by Suman Shrestha at the edge of the box.
Earlier, Rohit had put Nepal ahead in the 29th minute with a grounder from the top of the box following a cutback from Sumit Shrestha, leaving Bangladesh’s defence momentarily flat-footed.
Coach Javier Cabrera made three changes from the previous match, bringing in Jamal, Md Sohel Rana, and Foysal Ahmed Fahim in place of Shamit Shome, Sakil Ahad Topu, and the injured Sheikh Morsalin. Rakib Hossain, Bangladesh’s lone scorer against Hong Kong, started up front alongside Fahim.
In the first half, Fahim went close several times but was repeatedly denied by Nepalese goalkeeper Kiran Kumar Limbu. Shamit Shome came off the bench early in the second half, shifting momentum in Bangladesh’s favour and setting the stage for Hamza’s quick brace.
Hamza now has four goals in six appearances for Bangladesh, having made his international debut against India in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier in March this year.
The friendly also marked the debut of UK-based Cuba Mitchell, a former Sunderland youth, who replaced Hamza in the second half.
Bangladesh appeared poised for their first win after a four-match winless run, but Ananta Tamang’s stoppage-time goal ensured a dramatic 2-2 draw.
Bangladesh will next face India at the same venue in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
