Boasting most of the big names of Nepali football, Nepal (Red) looked confident from the onset and scored as early as in the seventh minute. Anjan KC found the net at the second bar through a freekick from the right side of the box after a foul on striker Jumanu Rai by Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman.
Anil Gurung´s strike at the post in the 18th minute brought the spectators to the edge of their seats but he was denied by the woodwork. Nepal continued to pile on the pressure but struggled to find the defining second goal as Anil Gurung´s close range header from the left flank was easily taken by Bangla keeper Mitul in the 43rd minute.
The Bangladeshi top flight club equalized in the 53rd minute through Mohammad Khalid Shafulla in an otherwise dull second half that saw very few chances created from either side. Both sides showed frustration as they could not find the all important second goal.
Dipesh Shrestha
The final moments of the match saw a powerful strike from KC from the right but in vain.
Two Bangla players were shown yellow cards while Nepal´s Jumanu Rai was booked by referee Priyanga Peiris of Sri Lanka. Nepal (Blue), which went down 3-2 to Sri Lanka in the opening match on Thursday, faces JW Team on Saturday.
