Bangladesh national football team will play their second practice match against Sudan at 11:30 p.m. (BST) at Al Taif Indoor Stadium, Saudi Arabia, today (Thursday).
Booters played a goalless draw against Sudan in their first unofficial practice match at the same venue on Sunday last.
The national football team, which is in Saudi Arabia, is playing the practice match with Sudan as a part of their preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Championship 2027 qualifiers against Palestine in Kuwait, which will take place on March 21.
It would be the second practice match against the FIFA 127th-ranked team before Jamal Bhuyan’s team travelled to Kuwait on March 17 to play the away match against Palestine.
The Bangladesh coach, Javier Cabrera, is happy with the performance of the players in the first outings.
Booters resumed training at the playground on Wednesday at noon local time.
Out of the 28 squad members, coach Jaiver Cabrera gave match-time to 24 players to see the progress of their one-week preparation in Saudi Arabia ahead of the March 21 match against Palestine. Midfielder Rabiul Hasan said that they are all working hard for a good result against the Middle Eastern nation.
"We have a special plan for Palestine, and everyone is working hard so that we can produce a good result," said Rabiul.
"Everyone in the squad is trying to give their best and is eager for the match because everyone knows it is going to be difficult to return to the side if they lose position since there are good players in every position," said the Abahani midfielder, who believes the current squad is a balanced one.
Cabrera has taken some young players with the squad in a bid to give them exposure with the senior players. Rookie midfielder Chandon Roy is enjoying training with the seniors.
"I got a call to the national squad before and earned some valuable experience. This time I have been called up again, and I believe I can do something better," said Chandon, who emerged from the BFF Elite Academy before joining Sheikh Russell via players' auction.
"There are similarities between club training and national team training in terms of theory and game. So club training is helping me a bit in that regard," added Chandon.