Javier Cabrera expressed quiet optimism regarding Bangladesh's fixtures in the third round of Asian Cup Qualifiers, which pitted his charges against India, Hong Kong and Singapore in Group C.
With a month and a half left to Javier Cabrera’s extended contract, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is yet to take any decision whether to extend with the Spaniard or look for a replacement.
The Bangladesh Football Ultras cheered on the team right through the match and serenaded them on their way out of the Bashundhara Kings Stadium, where Javier Cabrera’s charges had just snatched a deserved victory in stoppage time, thanks to a late goal from substitute midfielder Papon Singh.
Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera had neither any explanation nor any excuse after his side lost a FIFA friendly match against Maldives 1-0 at home, dashing their hopes of getting a favourable draw in next year's Asian Cup Qualifiers.
Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera has not included captain Jamal Bhuiyan in the preliminary squad for the upcoming FIFA friendlies against Maldives at home next month.
Bangladesh football team’s head coach Javier Cabrera told media today that he expects Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury in the side from the start of the first match of the AFC Asian Cup in March next year.
A stoppage-time strike from Kinga Wangchuk handed a visiting Bangladesh a 1-0 defeat to hosts Bhutan in the second and final FIFA friendly match at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan on Sunday.
The Spaniard took heart from the fact that his team came out with a victory despite not being in the best of shape and having to deal with the high altitude of Thimphu.
Bangladesh football team were expecting tough competition from Bhutan in the two FIFA friendly fixtures, the first of which kicks off at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu at 6:00pm today. And that is not necessarily due to the strength of the opposition but also an apparent lack of match-practice and fitness of the Bangladesh players.
The Spaniard, who led Bangladesh to a first semifinal in the regional event for the first time in 14 years only to lose the last-four battle against Kuwait in extra time, said he was disappointed of the end result but proud of the performance from the charges.
Javier Cabrera's troops are brimming with confidence, having secured a semifinal berth for the first time in 14 years in the regional football extravaganza. The booters now have their sights on the final -- which Bangladesh last reached almost two decades ago in Pakistan in 2005
Tariq, who picked up a shin injury soon after giving Bangladesh a lead against Maldives on June 25, went through four days of rest before Friday's training session.
Bangladesh have already achieved their SAFF Championship objective -- reaching the semifinal this edition. But following inspirational performances in the final two group games, against Maldives and Bhutan, Jamal Bhuiyan and Co. are now aiming to go even further as they take on Kuwait, arguably the toughest team in the tournament, in Saturday’s first semifinal at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
Rakib and Morsalin are happy with back-to-back goals in the SAFF Championship and want to contribute in Bangladesh’s victories in coming days.
Rahmat Mia may replace injured Tariq Kazi while Sheikh Morsalin, scored the third goal in their 3-1 win against Maldives, is likely to replace Faisal Ahmed Fahim up front.
Playing a possession-based game appeared a pipe dream given the showings, despite the fact that Cabrera's charges had shown signs of improvement and their fighting character in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers in Malaysia last year.
Bangladesh’s Spanish coach Javier Cabrera was more impressed with the way Bhutan played in their SAFF Championship Group B game against Maldives.
Bangladesh players usually make a lot of fun at the dressing room during international matches but a panic had set in ahead of their crucial SAFF Championship encounter against Maldives at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru yesterday.
Bangladesh made two changes to the playing eleven against Maldives, bringing on Rakib Hossain and Mohammad Ridoy in place of Suman Reza and Mojibur Rahman Jony.