Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh Football team will take on Maldives in the 1st FIFA International friendly match today at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in the capital. The game will kick-off at 6:00pm (Bangladesh Standard Time). Private satellite sports channel T Sports will telecast the match live from the match-venue.
According to the latest FIFA rankings, Maldives have achieved 163rd position, while Bangladesh have taken 185th spot.
Before today’s match, Bangladesh and Maldives faced each other in 18 occasions. Of them, Bangladesh registered eight victories, while Maldives won six games and four matches ended in draws.
Besides, Bangladesh drew 1-1 with Maldives in the first play-off match of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on October 12 in 2023 at Male the capital city of Maldives. The red-and-green out-fit beat Maldives 2-1 in the second play-off match of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on October 17 in 2023 at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in the capital.
According to the better result in the play-off matches, Bangladesh got ticket to play in the group phase of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The result will give inspiration to the booters of the local side. Bangladesh will face Maldives in the second FIFA International friendly match at the same venue on November 16.
Marking the upcoming FIFA International friendly matches, the Bangladesh Football squad took part in the practice session under Head Coach of Bangladesh Football team from November 1. The footballers of Bashundhara Kings were busy to compete in the AFC Challenge League. The players of Bashundhara Kings joined the squad for practice on November 5.
Regular captain Jamal Bhuyan was not called by Team Management of the Bangladesh Football Federation. Finland-born Bangladeshi footballer Tariq Kazi could not play in the FIFA International friendly matches as he has been taking part in the army training programme, arranged by Finland Army.
Dependable defender Bishwanath Ghosh will not participate in the upcoming matches as he has been suffering from injury.
Head Coach of Bangladesh Football team Javier Cabrera said, ” The players of the team are now very sound. They want to show positive approach.
They played well in preparation matches. They also serious during the practice sessions. Everybody wants to earn a good result against Maldives. I hope my boys will perform well at home ground. They will show a better brand of football against Maldives.”