Bangladesh’s preparation for the upcoming 10th SAFF Championship received a heavy blow as their friendly matches against Pakistan were cancelled due to a countrywide 48-hour general strike from today.
Due to the strike called by Jamaat-e-Islami, the Pakistan Football Federation declined to tour Dhaka for two practice matches slated for August 13 and 16.Officials of the Bangladesh Football Federation stated they are now mulling about alternatives to overcome the loss of the warm-up matches.
The national team will play two or three practice matches against a selected XI with the first match scheduled to be held today at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. The next warm-up match will take place on August 19 or 20.
Chairman of the National Teams Committee, Kazi Nabil Ahmed, also informed that they are trying to send the national team to Malaysia to take part in one or two practice matches before the SAFF Championship gets underway.
The BFF sent a letter to the Football Association of Malaysia on Monday conveying their desire to play one or two practice matches against the Malaysian national team or any top-flight club.
‘To fulfil the loss of the practice matches against Pakistan, we are trying to send the national team to Malaysia but it is not yet confirmed.
‘Besides that, we selected a mixed XI comprised of local and foreign players against whom the national team will play in one or two friendlies ahead of the SAFF Championship,’ said Nabil on Monday.
As Bangladesh are preparing themselves by playing against weak opposition, the other participating teams are busy taking part in practice matches against top opponents.
Six-time SAFF champions India are now in Tajikistan to play an international friendly against the hosts on August 16 as a part of their preparation for the regional football tournament.
Bangladesh’s group opponent and host Nepal are currently engaged in a three-week tour of the Gulf region where they have already played a practice match against the Bahrain Olympic team in Manama on Wednesday where they lost 3-0.
Nepal will play another friendly match against East Riffa Club today and will soon leave Bahrain to play another practice match in Kuwait.
After cancelling the Bangladesh tour, Pakistan will play a friendly match against Afghanistan in Kabul on August 19. Officials of the PFF are also considering sending their team to Nepal several days before the start of the competition to acclimatise to the conditions.
‘Now we are thinking whether we should send the team early to Nepal for a few days’ camp or to any other country ahead of the SAFF Championship,’ tribune.com quoted PFF secretary Col. Ahmed Yar Khan Lodhi as saying.
Last edition’s semi finalist Maldives already started their preparation on August 11. As part of their preparations, Maldives beat a foreign-based team at home and will travel to Thailand on August 16.
They are scheduled to play three friendly matches in Thailand, informed Ali Suzain, director of the Maldives national team.
The Sri Lankan national team also began their preparation and might tour Thailand ahead of the SAFF Championship. Only Bhutan are yet to start their preparation for the regional tournament.
-With New Age input
