Growing hype faces test: Bangladesh seek to break Nepal jinx

Bangla Press Desk:   Bangladesh’s football fever is on the rise, with a surge in popularity evident since March. Tickets for high-profile matches are selling out within minutes, reflecting a nation increasingly passionate about the sport. Yet as the national team prepare for a crucial friendly against Nepal ahead of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers on Thursday at the National Stadium, the hype around this particular fixture has not yet reached those feverish levels.

Despite this, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is leaving no stone unturned to fill the stands. They recently released a promotional video featuring star midfielder Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome and captain Jamal Bhuyan, urging fans to turn out in full force and create a charged atmosphere for the team.

Jamal explained the video’s purpose: “It’s a short video, but the purpose is to bring the crowd to the stadium and create the right atmosphere for the team.”

The match itself carries heavy significance beyond just crowd numbers. 

Bangladesh have long struggled against Nepal on the football pitch, both at home and away. The last time Bangladesh defeated Nepal at home was in 2020 with a 2-0 victory. Since then, the teams have met five times, with Bangladesh managing three draws and suffering two defeats.

Their most recent home encounter, in 2021, ended in a 1-1 draw. 

Away from home, Bangladesh have failed to beat Nepal in their last four encounters, including a friendly match played in September. Those games notably did not feature key players like Hamza, Shamit Shome, or Zayan, whose presence in the current squad brings renewed strength and balance.

Coach Javier Cabrera stressed the importance of Thursday’s friendly as a vital preparation for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifier against India on November 18.

“We have had a couple of good final training sessions and a big challenge tomorrow, which will be a very good test for us to be absolutely ready for the priority match against India,” he said.

The squad is largely fit, with only slight concern over forward Sheikh Morsalin, who is managing minor muscle discomfort. 

Cabrera added, “In terms of injuries, everyone is fit except we have had a slight issue, muscle discomfort on Morsalin, but we will make the final decision on match day.”

The team has been training intensely at Bashundhara Kings Arena, boosted by the recent arrivals of Hamza and Shamit Shome. Their return has lifted spirits and energy in the camp, with fans enthusiastically greeting them during training sessions, eager for autographs and selfies.

Jamal reflected on the lessons from recent matches, especially the 3-4 home defeat against Hong Kong, China, where a late goal denied Bangladesh a point.

“Now matches are not just 90 minutes; they can go 95 or 98. Players must be ready at all times. That game was a learning point for us, and we hope to avoid the same mistakes in the future,” he said.

BP/TD