'We must keep the SAFF Championship spirit'

Having undergone a recovery session on Wednesday, Bangladesh national team returned to a full-fledged training session at the practice ground of the Bashundhara Sports Complex ahead of two FIFA friendlies against Afghanistan.

The men in red and green and Afghanistan face off on September 4 at the Bashundhara Kings arena before playing the second game three days later at the same venue.

Although head coach Javier Cabrera began preparations for two FIFA friendly matches against Afghanistan in the third week of last month, he did not get his full squad as the players of Bashundhara Kings and Abahani joined the camp on Sept 25 and 27, respectively.

Captain Jamal Bhuiyan was the last player to join the camp following his engagement with Sol de Mayo in Argentina's third division football league.

"Afghanistan have been a strong team as most of their players play in Europe. They are 30 to 35 places ahead of Bangladesh [in FIFA ranking], so they are strong, I think," Jamal told reporters following yesterday's training.

"However, we have the home ground advantage. We have to keep the spirit we showed in the SAFF Championship. I think we can produce a good result," said the 34-year-old midfielder, adding that he was happy to join training after returning home from Argentina.

Jamal shared his experience of playing in Argentina as the captain of Sol de Mayo.

"I was surprised [to get the captaincy] there. The club president gave me the captain's armband, so I was happy. First of all, they helped me a lot and I liked it. Playing style and people have been different there and it has overall been a good experience," Jamal said.

"Everything like food, weather is different there. It is now a chilly winter in Argentina and I am now adapting to the conditions here."