Kathmandu: Nepal settled for a 0-0 draw against Bangladesh in their return to international football at home, in the first of two international friendlies at Dasharath Stadium on Saturday.

The evenly contested match saw both sides create a handful of chances but fail to capitalise. Each team registered one shot on target in the opening half.

It was the first men’s international match at Dasharath Stadium in nearly two years. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had previously deemed the venue ineligible to host FIFA and AFC-sanctioned fixtures. Nepal last played there in November 2023 in a World Cup qualifier against Yemen.

On Saturday, Bangladesh threatened first in the 10th minute when captain Jamal Bhuyan’s corner was headed towards post by Rakib Hossain, but goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong reacted quickly to keep it out.

Midway through the first half, Nepal came close from a set piece when defender Ananta Tamang’s header from a Mani Lama free kick was denied by goalkeeper Mohammad Sujon Hossain. Minutes later, Mani delivered another free kick, but this time Sujon collected it with ease. Six minutes before the break, Sumon Reza almost put Bangladesh ahead, but his effort from inside the box flew over the bar with Chemjong caught off his line.

Nepal’s best chance of the second half came in the 68th minute when forward Gillespie Jung Karki unleashed a powerful 35-yard strike that went straight into Sujon’s hands. Ten minutes later, substitute Mohammad Taj Uddin tried his luck from distance for Bangladesh, only for Chemjong to gather with difficulty.

Neither side could find a breakthrough, and the match ended goalless.

The second friendly between the two nations is scheduled for Tuesday.