The second FIFA friendly match between hosts Bangladesh and the visitors Maldives will take on at the Bashundhara Kings Arena Stadium at 6.00 p.m. on Saturday is set to be as an important encounter for the hosts following their first match defeat when it will be also their last international affairs in the year.
Following the shocking defeat in the first off two-match FIFA friendly, Bangladesh will have to win today at least for maintaining their prestige, as the first match defeat destroyed their hopes of getting a favourable Pot in next year’s Asian Cup Qualifiers draw.
Before the Wednesday’s match, Bangladesh did never lose any match at their home ground against Maldives, as they had also a measure of revenge of last year when they knocked Maldives out of the Asian and the World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
Their first encounter in Male last season was a feisty 1-1 draw and 21-1 defeat at the Kings Arena for Maldives, who got their revenge in the reverse fixture with a stunning 1-0 win.
Last season in the two head-to-head games, Bangladesh were significantly the better team and clearly by the end of this season, those margins make a massive difference.
Hassan Al Mamun, the deputy of the head coach Javier Cabrera when talking to the Bangladesh Post on Friday, said, ‘‘I think we will go into this game with quite a lot of confidence. Boys know from last last match they can be the better. It’s clear concept we will have to win.’’
‘‘Boys are committed to do something for the country and to make happy the fans.’’
"Both the sides want to see who can knock others off their pedestal, it’s definitely the must win clash that everyone wants,’’said the former national star.
In the first match the shocked sides struggled to find their feet, with Rakib and Morsalin were largely absent from their perfect action when on target in both half when their efforts went wide.
"I think, overall, we played a great game. We controlled the ball. Their goals came from our mistakes. We need to fix our lapses on set pieces," Mamun said replying to a query.
"We hope that they can come and will appear with their qualities and experiences are really important. They are in good shape and good attitude,’’ Mamun told about the forwards. Mamun alos hinted that there may be a little change in the starting line up today.
Meanwhile, team’s head coach Cabrera, in the post-match press meet on Wednesday vowed his side for a better result in the second match. When the Spaniard also said that he could not explain the defeat after his team had created plenty of chances.
