Bangladesh men’s national team began their 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asia Cup qualifiers preparation in Tajikistan with a 2-0 defeat against Tajik League giants FC Kuktosh in their first practice match at Hisor Stadium in Dushanbe on Tuesday.
Bangladesh, who conceded goals in the 12th and 63rd minute, fielded a starting eleven without the players of Abahani Limited because of their fatigue due to a long travel from North Korea to Dhaka following their AFC Cup match before catching the Tajikistan-bound flight but they featured in the game as substitutes.
Jamal Bhuiyan, Arifur Rahman, Biplu Ahmed, Rahmat Mia, Matin Mia, Bishwanath Ghosh, Md Ibrahim, Yeasin Khan, Ashraful Islam Rana, Rafi, Robiul Hasan started the game while Jamie Day made as many as ten changes- three in the halftime and seven after 70 minutes- to give his players some match practice.
“Very good performance from the team played some good football against a very strong side and pleased everyone got some game time", said Bangladesh coach Jamie Day after the match.
Bangladesh will play their second practice match against another Tajik club CSKA Pamir on Thursday before facing Afghanistan in the first match of second round World Cup qualifiers on September 10.
