Bangladesh are all set to host the Group E matches of the AFC Under-23 Championship qualifiers from March 27 to 31, said officials of the Bangladesh Football Federation on Thursday. The draw ceremony of the tournament held on Thursday at the AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur where Bangladesh were drawn in Group E along with Asian giants Uzbekistan, Syria and India.
BFF general secretary Abu Naeem Sohag said that the AFC confirmed him verbally about Bangladesh hosting the group and they will send the written confirmation today.
‘Other teams of our group didn’t show any interest to host so that AFC chose us,’ Sohag said.
‘All the matches will be held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. Sohag, however, said the AFC is yet to confirm about what they will provide Bangladesh to host the matches.
A total of 43 Asian teams split into 10 groups will participate in the qualifying round.
Total 16 teams will participate in the 2016 final round as 10 group champions and five best runners-up will join the hosts Qatar.
‘Though the group is a tricky one but as hosts team we will try to make opponents work hard, said an optimistic Sohag.
Bangladesh will start their campaign in the opening day against Syria before facing Uzbekistan and India on March 29 and 31 respectively.
All three counterparts remained ahead of Bangladesh in the FIFA and AFC rankings with Uzbekistan in third position in Asia, Syria are in 26th and India are in 29th .
Bangladesh are ranked 35th in the continent.
Bangladesh lost 3-0 to Uzbekistan in their last match in the Asian Games in Incheon.
Meanwhile, 2012-13 Bangladesh Premier League Champions Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra will play pre-qualifying round of the AFC Cup in next year, said the BFF official.
Earlier, it was learnt that, defending champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club will participate in the pre-qualifying round but they have to wait for the next edition as Russell were given the wildcard as they played in the AFC President’s Cup final round last year.
BFF said Jamal will take part in the pre-qualifying round next year for the 2016 AFC Cup.
-With New Age input
