Bangladesh-Afghanistan Match Likely in Sylhet

The venue of the FIFA World Cup and Asia Cup Qualifier between hosts Bangladesh and Afghanistan billed for March 26 is likely to be shifted to Sylhet from Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka for the Independence Day programmes.

The BFF is going to select Sylhet District Stadium as an alternative venue for the FIFA & AFC Qualifier as a lot of national programs will be held at Bangabandhu National Stadium marking the Independence and National Day on March 26.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has already been informed about the programs.

The BFF competition department has already talked to the AFC and FIFA about the new venue in Sylhet.

It also informed that the FIFA officials will give a short trip to Sylhet very soon and after their inspection, the venue will be finalised.

Sylhet Stadium hosted many international matches. In 2018, Sylhet hosted group matches of Bangabandhu Gold Cup. In the recent past, Bangladesh played few friendly matches there and SAFF U-16 Championship was aslo hosted in 2015 successfully.

Bangladesh already played four FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and Asian Cup Qualifiers matches and earned only one point -- from India, and lost against Afghanistan in Tajikistan, against Qatar in Dhaka and against Oman in Muscat.

Source: UNB