The height of Thimpu is more than seven thousands feet above the sea level. Bangladeshi footballers from the plains therefore face several problems when they go to Bhutan. They are having trouble breathing. . Might be it’s normal for the Bhutanese but playing at altitude is very difficult for the outsiders. Bangladesh football team will have to play in this condition and it would very difficult for them when they will their first FIFA friendly against Bhutan in Thimphu on September 5 and the second match will take place on September 8.
Bangladesh team practiced at the venue of the match at Thimphu Changlimithan Stadium on Tuesday.
According to captain Jamal Bhuiyan, 'Due to the altitude, breathing is a bit difficult. We are trying to adapt. We are not yet in the desired physical condition. But we have one day in hand, I hope to be able to go to adjust.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) ended in May. The players have been sidelined for the past three months after two World Cup qualifiers against Australia and Lebanon in June. Before leaving the country, coach Javier Cabrera also mentioned this is as a problem.
Football season is yet to begin in Bangladesh but the Bhutanese players are in the game.
Skipper Jamal thinks it will be a challenge for them. In a video message from Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) sent from Thimphu, he said, “We know, it is the middle of the football season in Bhutan. So the Bhutanese footballers are fully fit. They are in the game. We discussed various strategies among ourselves. We have to play against Bhutan with extra caution.
Sohel Rana, one of the senior members of the team, spoke about breathing problems. He also said about that players are out of the game for a long time, “We are out of the game for a long time. The weather in Bhutan is a bit different. I'm having a little trouble in breathing. We hope to be able to play two matches with 100% physical fitness.”
