Kathmandu: Bangladesh will take on host Nepal in the first of the two-match FIFA Tier-1 International Friendlies scheduled to be held at Dashrath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal tomorrow (Saturday). The match kicks off at 5.45 pm Bangladesh time.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the main objective of the two friendlies is to prepare for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualification clashes against Hong Kong in home and away matches next month. Bangladesh currently holds the third position in Group C with one point in the Asian Cup qualification, having previously played out a goalless draw against India and suffered a 2-1 defeat to Singapore in their subsequent home game.
The Bangladesh team will face challenges in the absence of their overseas-based footballers. Shamit Shome confirmed his unavailability for the matches, while Leicester City midfielder Hamza Dewan Choudhury, who recently sustained an injury during a Championship League fixture, has been excluded from the Nepal-bound final squad. Additionally, Italy-based Fahamedul Islam and Bashundhara Kings’ new signing Cuba Mitchell are unavailable as they are engaged with the under-23 football team for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Vietnam.
Nepal is also utilizing the two friendlies against Bangladesh as part of their preparation for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. The Nepal national team, currently ranked 176th in the world according to FIFA, most recently suffered a 2-1 defeat to Laos in qualification for the AFC Asian Cup during the June international break. Despite this, Nepal is considered the favorite due to their home-ground advantage and the expected support from local crowds.
The second and concluding match between the two sides is scheduled to take place on September 9 at the same venue.
Bangladesh squad: Sujon Hossain, Mehedi Hasan, Rahmat Mia, Topu Barman, Mohammad Ridoy, Jamal Bhuyan, Md Taj Uddin, Arif Hossain, Md Sahriar Emon, Rakib Hossain, Md Foysal Ahmed Fahim, Md Abdullah Omar, Mitul Marma, Tariq Kazi, Papon Singh, Md Sohel Rana, Sohel Rana, Md Isa Faysal, Mohammad Ibrahim, Sumon Reza, Syed Shah Quazem Kirmanee, Md Saad Uddin, and Pappu Hossain.