Brazil-Bangladesh friendly in Dhaka? BFF president says ‘all options’ discussed

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Tabith Awal on Monday said that the federation had discussed all possible options with a delegation from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) during the latter’s recent visit to Dhaka.

Brazil are scheduled to play two FIFA friendlies against Australia on September 25 and 29 respectively in Townsville and Brisbane before travelling to Kolkata, where they will face India at the Salt Lake Stadium on October 3.

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Since the CBF delegation’s visit to Dhaka, there were discussions that five-time world champions Brazil could play a friendly against Bangladesh in Dhaka on October 5 or 6 or could hold a practice session before departing for India.

Asked whether Brazil could potentially play a friendly or hold a training session in Dhaka before or after their tour of India, Tabith told The Daily Star, “The answers are yes. We discussed all options.”

According to Tabith, the CBF delegation also expressed its gratitude and appreciation to Brazil fans in Bangladesh. The two sides agreed also to work together on infrastructure, pitch development, joint coaching programmes, sports science and friendly matches.

“The CBF delegation visited Dhaka on Sunday and spent most of its time inspecting the facilities at the National Stadium, several hotels and Bashundhara Kings Arena,” he said.

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“The delegation found the pitches and adjacent areas at both the National Stadium and Bashundhara Kings Arena to be of an acceptable standard for the Brazilian national team, although some improvements are required to additional infrastructure, including dressing rooms, technical staff areas and security at entry and exit gates. These were all issues which could be addressed with minimum efforts and within a short time.

“The delegation left Dhaka at 1:40am on Monday and is expected to officially submit its findings and recommendations to the CBF this week.

“The BFF will soon hold an official meeting with the CBF to explore the possibility of inviting the Brazilian national team to Bangladesh for a friendly match, as well as the prospect of Brazil using Bangladesh as a neutral venue in the near future,” he added.

Meanwhile, the BFF have already committed to participating in the upcoming FIFA ASEAN Cup, scheduled to be held in Indonesia from September 24 to October 4.

Bangladesh are set to play at least three group-stage matches, with the possibility of an additional place-deciding fixture. It remains to be seen whether Bangladesh can make room in their schedule to face Brazil, should they and the five-time world champions decide to play in Dhaka during same FIFA window.