Bangladesh team will play two practice matches against Bhutan Sunday and next Thursday, ahead of their joint qualifiers ties of the Fifa World Cup 2022 and Asian Cup 2023.
In the second round of the qualifiers, Bangladesh will take on Qatar at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka on October 10.
Five days later, the men in red and green will face off against India in their third Group E match at Salt Lake City in India.
Bangladesh head coach Jamie Day wants his team to enjoy the pressure, saying, “We want to win both games against Bhutan and take confidence into us before playing Qatar and India. For me, the next two games we want to win, we will do our best to win. I’m not worried about Qatar yet, still I have long time before Qatar game.”
Ahead of the matches, defender Rayhan Hasan replaced midfielder Masuk Mia Joni, who was ruled out of the 26-member preliminary Bangladesh squad due to injury.
Bangladesh will play two practice matches against Bhutan as part of their preparation for the 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup joint qualifiers against Qatar and India.https://t.co/LNJhN6OfgB#BFF #FOOTBALL #BANGLADESH #BANGLADESHFOOTBALL #QATAR #INDIA #FOOTBALLFEDERATION
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) September 22, 2019
When asked about this, the head coach said, “Joni is a good player. He is ruled out for the whole season. We will miss him in the match. But Rayhan is the best in his position.”
He is keeping faith on Raihan, “We have got enough midfielders. Rayhan is a versatile player and he is fit. He can play in three positions at the back so it gives us the cover. It makes sense to bring someone who is ready to go rather than someone who may need training and get fit.”
Bangladesh’s goalkeeper Ashraful Islam Rana said, “We are getting ready mentally and physically for two strong opponents Qatar and India. We are working hard and doing extra workout for them. We have to play the best against them.”
Day wanted to show the World Cup host due respect, saying, “Qatar are a good team. They are much ahead of we are. But we will make it difficult for them. We might have to play a little bit different. It’s going to be a great experience for our players. As long as we perform well, I will be happy with the players.
“We have to be realistic. We know that the matches against Qatar and India will be difficult but we will try to play our best games against both of them. We need to be organized in the match. Both games will be great experience for our players.”
Bhutan will arrive in Dhaka Friday.
In Bangladesh’s first match of Group E, Bangladesh lost to Afghanistan 1-0 at neutral venue Dushanbe in Tajikistan on September 10.
