The BFF is concerned over playing their opening World Cup qualifying game against Afghanistan away at the home venue of Afghanistan, rather they prefer a neutral venue, said BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag Thursday.
Bangladesh kick off their second round of the 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifying campaign against Afghanistan away on September 10 this year but BFF prefers playing at a neutral venue rather than Afghanistan’s home venue at Ghazi National Olympic Stadium in Kabul.
“We decided in principle that we don’t want to play our away match in Afghanistan, rather we prefer a neutral venue due to safety concern. But it’s not in our hands at the moment. Fifa will confirm the home venues of the respective teams by July 31. If it is Kabul, then we would ask the respective authority to change it to a neutral venue,” said Shohag after returning from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where he attended the World Cup qualifiers draw ceremony.
National team head coach Jamie Day, who earlier said it’s difficult to play away in Afghanistan, also prefers playing at a neutral venue.
“I heard Afghanistan is not a safe place. I’m not happy travelling there if honest. I would prefer (neutral venue),” said Day.
Bangladesh is placed in the same group (E) as India, Afghanistan, Oman and Qatar during the draw for the second round of the AFC preliminary competition and qualifiers for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.https://t.co/V2Lo9T8K4G#AFC #FIFAWorldCup #AFCAsianCup
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) July 17, 2019
Afghanistan have not played their home international matches at their own land in the last few years, except a friendly against Palestine in August last year.
They chose Iran’s capital Tehran for the home matches of Fifa 2018 World Cup qualifiers and Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe for the Asian Cup qualifiers.
They also played in Dubai for other international matches in recent times.
Meanwhile, Shohag also informed that they will decide regarding the plans of the national team by the end of this month prior to the World Cup qualifying matches.
The Bangladesh Premier League is scheduled to conclude on August 1 and the players are set to be rested after that.
The camp is likely to begin at the latter half of August with Abahani Limited also have AFC Cup matches on August 21 and 28.
