Former footballer Amer Khan, the manager of the national football team, is always smiling. He is worried after arriving in Shillong, India. Bangladesh has not yet had a relaxed practice session in Shillong before the important match. This naturally affects the match planning and the performance of the players.
According to the rules of the Asian Football Confederation, the visiting team must arrive at the designated match city 48 hours before the match. The host team is officially responsible for hosting the visiting team two days before the match. It is also mandatory under AFC law to allow the visiting team to practice for an hour at the match venue the day before the match. It is the official responsibility of the host federation to arrange a practice venue (outside the match venue) one day before.
The actual visit of the visiting team to the venue 48 hours before the match depends on the agreement and sincerity of the two federations regarding training and accommodation. There is no obligation under football law here.
Bangladesh will play an Asian Cup qualifier against India in Shillong on March 25. Hamza and Jamal reached Shillong on the afternoon of March 20, five days before the match. Bangladesh practiced on the North Eastern Hill University field on March 21 and on the turf of the Jarharlal Nehru Stadium yesterday. Both practices were uncomfortable. The Nehru field is not adequate for preparing for an international match, and practicing on turf before playing on grass is not ideal.
National team manager Amer Khan said, “There was a discussion at night and the decision was changed the next morning. It is still happening like the last two days. Last night, they confirmed that they will practice on the turf of Jawaharlal Stadium, now this morning they are saying that they will go to Nehru Ground. Today, the match commissioner came. I have informed him about the matter and we will see where it goes.”
Bangladesh’s group in the Asia Cup qualifiers includes India, Singapore and Hong Kong. After each team plays six matches on a home and away basis, the group champion will play directly in the Asia Cup. Therefore, each match is very important. Every team will try to take full advantage, especially in the home match. The suffering that Bangladesh is facing due to coming earlier than the AFC’s instructions is basically the result of their own lack of planning.
Three important Indian footballers are injured. On the other hand, Hamza Chowdhury will play for Bangladesh. Hamza has practiced for only one session in Dhaka for Bangladesh. The Bangladesh team could not practice with full advantage after coming to India. This will make it difficult for Hamza to adapt to the Bangladesh team. The Football Federation of India is the ultimate manifestation of professionalism through the non-cooperation of the training venue.
Many times, if you arrive before the specified time, you have to rent the field to practice. Yesterday, Bangladesh had to face such a situation. The Indian Federation sent the bill for ambulance, medical bills, and stadium staff during the training. After getting the promise that the BFF will pay for it, the Bangladesh team practiced yesterday.
The preparation plan for the India match was originally planned by Bangladesh’s Spanish head coach Javier Cabrera. His plan was approved by the national team committee. The camp began in Dhaka on February 28 for the India match. The Bangladesh team was in Taif, Saudi Arabia from March 5-17 to prepare for the conditions and good field of Shillong. The Bangladesh team was in the cold weather of Saudi Arabia for two days, 18-19, and then in the hot weather of Dhaka. From that hot weather, it entered the cold weather again the next day. Bangladesh’s practice, especially with Bangladesh’s main player Hamza, is not going well. These are both a lack of foresight by coach Javier and an unplanned move by the national team committee.
Singapore will play an away match in Dhaka on June 10. A representative of Singapore will come to Dhaka in April for that match, said Bangladesh team manager Amer Khan, ‘When I was in Saudi Arabia, the Singapore manager contacted me about the June match. They can come to Dhaka in April to inspect the facilities. I have been talking about a professional manager for several days. It is very necessary at this time. “When I came to India, I felt the need for it again.”
The picture in Bangladesh is different, however. There, the manager of the Bangladesh team is decided a few weeks before the match. Before the manager is nominated, the administrative staff of the federation arranges the hotel and practice ground through emails and discussions with the national team committee and coach. In many cases, the email and reality differ. Then the manager has to handle it.
Bangladesh and Australia were in the same group in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Australia came to Bangladesh to play a home match less than 48 hours ago. They came the night before and practiced the next day and played the match. Many developed countries in football adopt such strategies to avoid embarrassment when visiting the opponent’s country. Bangladesh seems to not even notice this.
