Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera expressed deep frustration after his side once again conceded in stoppage time to draw 2-2 against Nepal in a FIFA international friendly at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Thursday night.

Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury's brace had put Bangladesh on course for their first win over Nepal in five years, but the men in red and green were denied at the death as Ananta Tamang flicked in a corner to level the score.

"It's not a mental problem," Cabrera insisted after the match. "We've prepared to defend that action hundreds of times in training, but for whatever reason, it can happen. Still, it's true that it's happening too often."

The Spaniard said his players had shown fighting spirit after falling behind early but admitted the late lapse was difficult to accept. "Coming from behind was the positive part, but overall, it's disappointing," he said. "We wanted to control the game, but it was harder than expected, especially in the first half."

Cabrera also shouldered responsibility for the lack of attacking edge before the break. "We dominated possession but couldn't create clear chances," he said. "The best moments were Hamza's goals at the start of the second half. We could have done better, especially in the first half."

Bangladesh's display, built around brief flashes of quality from Hamza, again exposed familiar flaws -- inconsistency, defensive fragility, and the inability to close out matches. The 26-year-old midfielder struck a bicycle kick to equalise just after the restart before converting a penalty two minutes later, but the team's old habits resurfaced.

The friendly, part of Bangladesh's preparation for their Asian Cup Qualifier against India on November 18, also saw England-based Cuba Mitchell make his debut as Cabrera used all six substitutions.

For the home crowd, the result was another painful reminder of Bangladesh's long struggle to turn promise into results. For Cabrera, it was another lesson in deja vu -- a step forward overshadowed by the same old stumble at the final whistle.