Bangladesh coach Peter Butler was looking to embrace the challenge of facing strong opponents after his side were drawn in a tough group, which included defending champions China, in their maiden Women's Asian Cup campaign.
The BFF had approached several top local coaches to take charge of the U-23 team, but all declined for various reasons.
Bangladesh have been placed in Group A of the SAFF U-17 Championship along with hosts Sri Lanka, who will stage the regional youth tournament in Colombo from September 15 to 20.
With less than a month remaining before the transfer window of the Bangladesh Premier League closes, footballers are struggling to secure suitable contracts for the upcoming 2025-26 season due to financial constraints faced by the participating clubs.
Morsalin, who left Bashundhara Kings in search of more game time, said the welcome made his move all the more special.
Meanwhile, reigning world champions Argentina have retained their top spot
Players have spoken publicly about the need for proper nutrition, functioning gyms, better training grounds, and a stable domestic league.
Tanned by summer heat, tuned by a season of relentless graft at Sheffield United, and tested by rollercoaster ride with Bangladesh, the 26-year-old returned to the club where his footballing identity was forged.
In Peter Butler’s system, the Bangladesh goalie is also the first attacker.
A spate of incidents has occurred within the past month where referees were assaulted over on-field decisions by club officials, players and supporters.
PWD used to be a regular outfit in top-flight football in the 80s and early 90s
Bangladesh’s domestic competitions are not producing forwards who steal the spotlight in big matches. Goals in lopsided fixtures, played in front of empty stands, do little to prepare players for the intensity of international football.
What should have been a showpiece final in Mymensingh turned into another sorry chapter in domestic football's decline.
Following Sheffield United midfielder Hamza Choudhury’s debut for Bangladesh against India last month, interest among expatriate footballers in representing the national team has seen a notable rise. Canada-based midfielder Shamit Shome has already expressed his desire to play for Bangladesh.
According to the long-serving captain, the most notable transformation since Hamza’s arrival has been a dramatic rise in team confidence.
The 27-year-old, currently a regular for Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League, was previously capped twice in friendlies for the Canada senior team in 2020.
A total of 245 matches have taken place globally since the December 2024 rankings, with teams from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America competing in FIFA World Cup 26 qualifiers.
Fresh off their hard-fought goalless draw against India in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, Bangladesh’s national footballers took a break from the grind to spread festive cheer, extending Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to fans worldwide.
Ridoy had the simplest of chances to put Bangladesh ahead against India in the 12th minute.
