Kathmandu: The Nepal men’s national football team will return to their home ground Dasharath Stadium on Saturday for the first time in nearly two years, as they face Bangladesh in the opening fixture of a two-legged FIFA Friendly series. 

Coach Matt Ross said his side will be “desperately looking for a win” in what promises to be a spirited homecoming. While the match marks the return of international men’s football to the heart of Nepali football, it will also be Ross’s debut at Dasharath Stadium. 

The Australian appointed head coach in March, has yet to lead Nepal on home turf as the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) labelled Dasharath Stadium ineligible to host FIFA and AFC-sanctioned matches. Nepal last played at the Stadium in November 2023 in a World Cup Qualifier against Yemen.

Saturday’s match will be Ross’s fifth in charge. Under his leadership, Nepal managed a 1-0 win over Singapore and held Hong Kong to a goalless draw, before suffering back-to-back defeats to Malaysia (2-0) and Laos (2-1) in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

“We expect a tough, physical game with passionate home supporters,” said the 47-year-old Ross during a pre match conference on Friday. “We’re desperate to win and to show that our last performance against Laos wasn’t up to our standards. The boys are cent percent ready to go out there and prove that we’re here to win.”

Both Nepal and Bangladesh are using the friendlies to fine-tune preparations for their respective AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. Nepal will face Vietnam away in Group ‘F’, while Bangladesh are set to host Hong Kong in a Group ‘C’ encounter on October 9.

Both squads will be missing some key players who are currently involved in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Bangladesh’s Spanish coach, Javier Cabrera, acknowledged the challenge of facing the home side. “I think both teams are on a similar level, and it’s going to be a great opportunity to test ourselves,” said the 40-year-old. “We’re very positive and excited about these two games. They are crucial in our preparation for the Hong Kong match.”

Cabrera will be keen to avenge a disappointing memory at Dasharath Stadium, where Bangladesh fell 3-1 to Nepal in September 2022, with Anjan Bista netting a memorable hat-trick. “We expect a tight battle. If the pitch is in good condition and the weather holds up, we’ll have a better chance to execute our plans,” he added. “Our main focus is to be as prepared as possible for the Hong Kong game.”

Bista, Nepal’s joint all-time leading goal scorer alongside Hari Khadka and Nirajan Rayamajhi with 13 goals each, will be looking to end his 15-match goal drought and claim the top spot outright. “I’m not overly focused on scoring,” said Bista. “For me, the team’s victory is what matters most. But hopefully, I can find the net against Bangladesh.”

Nepal’s veteran captain, Kiran Chemjong, was emotional about returning to Dasharath Stadium. “It’s always exciting to play on home turf, and we hope for a big turnout to support us,” said Chemjong, recalling the 2011 World Cup Qualifiers when Nepal rebounded from a 9-0 away defeat to Jordan with a 1-1 home draw.

Bangladesh captain Jamal Bhuyan echoed the sentiment, admitting it’s never easy to face Nepal in Kathmandu. “The Nepali team is getting stronger. Still, our goal is to earn three points and put in a solid performance,” he said. “These two matches are key to our preparation for the upcoming Asian Cup Qualifiers.”

The next match is scheudled for Tuesday.