Nepal is interested to play friendlies with the Bangladesh Under-23 football team on August 25 and 28 as part of their preparation for the upcoming 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea next month.
The All Nepal Football Association replied yesterday expressing their interest to take part in two friendlies in Dhaka after the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) had approached on Monday to play practice matches.
The federation has prepared a budget for the friendlies - Tk1.5m for one match and Tk2.5m for two - including plane fare of the visiting team and local hospitality and forwarded it to the national team management committee. After the national team management committee approves the budget, the other formalities will take place accordingly.
“Following our invitation on Monday, they (Nepal) replied today (Wednesday) and expressed their interest to play two friendly matches on August 25 and 28. We drafted the budget and forwarded it to the national team management committee. They will take the decision whether we will play one or two friendlies against Nepal,” said BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag yesterday.
The BFF is also hopeful of organising a friendly match against Malaysia before the Asian Games. Malaysia, however, has not yet responded to the BFF’s invitation for the friendly.
Meanwhile, the national U-23 side will play their third practice match against Bangladesh Army today at the Army Stadium.