Bangladesh-Maldives FIFA WC qualifier play-off match today

Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh will face Maldives in the FIFA World Cup (WC) qualifier play-off match at Male, the capital city of Maldives today.

The match will start at 5.00pm (Bangladesh Standard Time).

It is Bangladesh’s away match.

Bangladesh will take on Maldives in their away match on October 17.

If Bangladesh win the play-off match against Maldives, Bangladesh will be pitted in the Group-I of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The other teams of the Group-I are : Australia, Palestine and Lebanon. If Bangladesh move into the next round Bangladesh will get chance to play two matches (home and away basis) against their opponent teams of the Group-1.

Bangladesh took part in the practice session after reaching Maldives.

The play-off matches are very much crucial for Bangladesh.

President of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Kazi Salahuddin announced if Bangladesh can play in the second round after beating Maldives in the play-off matches, he will give above Taka one crore for the members of Bangladesh Football team as bonus.

Before today’s match, Bangladesh and Maldives faced each other in 16 matches.

Of them, Bangladesh recorded six victories, while Maldives won six occasions and rest of the three matches ended in draws.
Bangladesh reached the semi-final of the SAFF Championship, which concluded recently at Bengaluru of India.

BFF boss gave above Taka 50 lakh as bonus to the members of Bangladesh team for their success.

It may be mentioned that Bangladesh entered the semifinal of the recent SAFF Championship after defeating Maldives by 3-1 goals in their group phase.

Though Maldives are better position than Bangladesh according to the latest FIFA rankings, but the booters of Bangladesh now-a-days have showed a better brand of football than Maldives.