Forward Anil Gurung and Bharat Khawas were on the score-sheet for the home team that avenged an identical defeat at the same venue some six months ago during group D qualifiers of the AFC Challenge Cup.[break]
Gurung gave Nepal an early breakthrough in the 18th minute heading home from a tight angle toward the far post from the six-yard box. Bhola Silwal supplied a cross to Gurung in a freekick taken by Sandip Rai from the center. It was Gurung"s eighth international goal. He had netted his last goal for the national team against East Timor in July 2011 during the World Cup Qualifiers.
Khawas, who joined the national team training on Monday, doubled the advantage for the home team in the 31st minute with a perfect tapping from the crowded danger zone stunning Bangladesh. Gurung set up Khawas with a flick header in Jagjeet Shrestha"s corner. The 22-year old, who had achieved hat-trick against Northern Mariana Island during the AFC Qualifiers in May, has taken his international goals tally to eight.
It was Nepal"s fifth victory over the South Asian opponent in16 international encounters. Nepal has lost 10 and drawn in one match.
´We acquired three points and I am happy about that,´ Nepal"s coach Jack Stefanowski said during the post match conference. Stating that the jam-packed stadium with capacity to accomodate 18,000 spectators made the difference, he said, ´A couple of factors like playing at home, strong defense and good performances clinched us victory.´
´The first match is always important and the win has put us in a good position,´ said the American coach of Polish origin. In the four team group, Nepal will meet Pakistan in another match on Tuesday and India on Thursday.
´Nepal had been putting up good performances for long, but we have failed to score. Today we improved on the scoring front,´ Nepal"s skipper Sagar Thapa said during the post match conference.
Bangladesh"s Dutch coach Lodewiji De Kruif attribited the defeat to mistakes in defense, early goals and huge home supporters. ´When we make mistakes and concede two goals in the first 30 minutes in front of a huge crowd it becomes difficult,´ said the Dutch.
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