Sylhet set to host a friendly match ahead of Singapore test in March

The Bangladesh national football team will open their final phase of preparation for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers with a training camp starting on 20 March, ahead of their decisive Group C fixture against Singapore later this month. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) confirmed the schedule following a National Teams Committee meeting held on Saturday afternoon at the BFF Home.

Bangladesh will depart for Singapore on March 28, with the qualifier scheduled to be played on March 31. As part of their build-up, BFF is planning a FIFA international friendly during the March window, preferably on home soil.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, BFF Media Committee Chairman Amirul Islam Babu said the Singapore match dominated discussions. “Keeping the Singapore match in mind, we have unanimously decided to start the national team camp on 20 March. The team will then travel to Singapore on 28 March,” he said.

BFF officials are currently in talks with Cambodia and Timor-Leste as potential opponents for the preparatory match. According to Babu, Sylhet Stadium has been earmarked as the preferred venue.

“Our intention is to play the friendly at home. Sylhet is our target, and we are working towards hosting the match there between 20-28 March. We also hope to formally open the stadium through this match,” he added.

However, BFF has kept alternative options open. If hosting the match in Sylhet proves unfeasible, Bangladesh may play the friendly away against one of the two shortlisted teams before travelling directly to Singapore.

Bangladesh are already out of contention for Asian Cup qualification, but the final Group C fixture remains crucial for other teams. Singapore currently lead the group with 11 points and will secure qualification with a draw in their last match. Hong Kong, on eight points, remain in contention, while Bangladesh sit third with five points from one win and two draws. India, with two points, are at the bottom of the table.

Despite mounting public scrutiny of head coach Javier Cabrera following recent performances, BFF officials clarified that the coach’s position was not discussed at Saturday’s meeting. “This was not on our agenda,” Babu said, noting that BFF President Tabith Awal was absent due to illness.

National Teams Committee Vice Chairman and BFF Senior Vice President Imrul Hasan also declined to offer an immediate assessment of the head coach. “The reflection of that evaluation will be seen after March 31,” he said, calling for patience from stakeholders.

The committee also acknowledged receiving an invitation for an international match in June, though no decision has yet been made regarding that window.