SAFF Championship 2023

‘Play till 32 and then do whatever you want to’

Praising the performance of both the young and the experienced footballers in the just-concluded SAFF Championship, Bangladesh Football Federation's president Kazi Salahuddin urged everyone to stay disciplined in the next three to four months in a bid to overcome the first round hurdle of World Cup Qualifiers in October.

Current team the finest since 1973: Salahuddin 

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Kazi Salahuddin termed the current national squad as the best to have emerged since the 1973 team.

‘We are ready to face Kuwait’

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

Sunil Chhetri 'doesn't get love from Bangladeshi players'

India captain Sunil Chhetri says he would prefer to meet Bangladesh in the final of the SAFF Championship.

Bangladesh have Rui Bento's respect

The Kuwait coach said he won't be taking Bangladesh lightly in the semifinals.

Redeemed Rakib on a roll in SAFF C'ship

More often than not, a guilt-ridden Rakib Hossain watched a particular footage of the 2021 SAFF Championship whenever he recalled that event. The Bangladesh winger had always taken the blame for his unforced error that evaporated Bangladesh’s chance to play in the final.

Success after 14 years 'not by luck', says Bangladesh coach 

Bangladesh had been yearning to make it to the semifinals of the SAFF Championship and an agonising wait of 14 years was finally over on Wednesday with a 3-1 victory over Bhutan in Bengaluru.

Morsalin, Rakib give Bangladesh 3-1 lead at half-time

The two forwards scored two goals and combined to set up an own goal as Bangladesh took a step closer to a semifinal berth in the SAFF Championship after being given an early scare by the Bhutanese. 

Two changes to XI as Bangladesh faced with simple job for semifinal berth

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.

June 26, 2023
June 26, 2023

'Our playing style has transformed’

Every Bangladesh player echoed a common sentiment that they had desperately needed this victory following a 2-0 defeat against Lebanon in the opening match

June 25, 2023
June 25, 2023

Bangladesh take on Maldives with two changes

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. 

June 24, 2023
June 24, 2023

Bengaluru's sanctuary for athletes

The HAF Sports Club, under the care of the Ministry of Defense, serves athletes from multiple disciplines. The facility not only boasts a swimming pool and a gymnasium but also a cricket ground, one court each for basketball and volleyball, an artificial turf and a grass-covered pitch.

June 24, 2023
June 24, 2023

‘That experience will make them a better team’

Javier Cabrera believes the heartbreaking defeat against Lebanon will only make his side stronger.

June 23, 2023
June 23, 2023

Late defensive lapses creeping in again

Despite putting up poor performances in recent past, Bangladesh showed a bit of improvement and created the hope of holding their superior Lebanon but defensive errors from Tariq Kazi and debutant Isa Faisal caused the downfall of the team.

June 23, 2023
June 23, 2023

We were close to three points: Cabrera

Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera was disappointed with the 2-0 loss against Lebanon but expressed pride in the fight his charges showed against a much superior side in a SAFF Championship encounter at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru yesterday.

June 22, 2023
June 22, 2023

Isa debuts as Bangladesh take on Lebanon in their campaign opener

Left-back Isa Faysal is all set to make international debut for Bangladesh when the men in red and green take on Lebanon in the opening match of Group B of SAFF Championship at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, India, today.

June 21, 2023
June 21, 2023

Chhetri reaches another milestone as India thrash Pakistan

India striker Sunil Chhetri struck a hattrick as India thrashed Pakistan 4-0 in their opening match of the SAFF Championship 2023 at the Sri Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium in Bangalore on Wednesday.

June 20, 2023
June 20, 2023

Pakistan footballers to play in India for first time since 2014

The two countries rarely play home matches against each other in any sport due to long-running political tensions made worse by the Mumbai terror attacks of 2008

June 6, 2023
June 6, 2023

Can Cabrera cure scoring malady?

As Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera set his sights on the semifinal berth of comparatively tough SAFF Championship on the first day of the training session yesterday, the decades-long goal-scoring problem of the national football team is expected to play in the mind of the Spaniard.