Kings Arena to host Bangladesh-Afghanistan matches

The Bashundhara Kings Arena will host the two FIFA Friendly matches between Bangladesh and Afghanistan early next month, confirmed Bangladesh Football Federation's vice-president Kazi Nabil Ahmed.

In a video message delivered to media, Nabil, also the head of National Teams Committee, made this disclosure.  

"The two FIFA Friendly matches between Bangladesh and Afghanistan will held at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka on September 4 and 7. The Bangladesh players will stay at Hotel Regency. The Afghanistan team will arrive in Dhaka on August 26 and will stay at the same hotel and will train at the same venue," Nabil said, ending all speculation regarding the venue of the matches.

The Sylhet District Stadium, which has held most matches of the national team as well as international club competition matches since the Bangabandhu National Stadium underwent renovation two years ago, is currently the only AFC-certified venue meeting international standards. However, the national team's head coach Javier Cabrera and the players voiced their concern regarding the venue. And with the poor ground condition visible in the recent AFC Cup match between Abahani and Club Eagles of Maldives prompted the game's local governing body to shift their focus to Bashundhara Kings Arena.

It is believed that the Kings Arena, which is yet to get AFC clearance due to not having chair-seating arrangements, was selected as the AFC/FIFA criteria for the friendly matches are less stringent compared to hosting international competitive matches.