Bangladesh head coach Javier Cabrera welcomes the challenge of facing Australia in the opening match of their FIFA World Cup Qualifiers campaign and believes his team can bring home a 'positive experience' from their trip down under.

Lack of matches against higher ranked opponents has been a long-standing problem for the Bangladesh men's football team in the international arena.

Substitute Saad Uddin scored with his first touch to help Bangladesh salvage a 1-1 draw against Maldives in their away match of the preliminary round of the World Cup Qualifiers at Male National Stadium today.

Bangladesh national football team will want to leave behind their off-field distractions as they leave for Maldives today to play the first match of a two-legged World Cup pre-qualifier on Thursday.

Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera said he was proud of his charges but felt disappointed they could not qualify for the Round of 16 of the Asian Games following their last group match where they held hosts China to a goalless draw yesterday.

Having undergone a recovery session on Wednesday, Bangladesh national team returned to a full-fledged training session at the practice ground of the Bashundhara Sports Complex ahead of two FIFA friendlies against Afghanistan.

Bangladesh national football team's head coach Javier Cabrera has praised captain Jamal Bhuiyan's move to Argentine club football, calling it a good move for Bangladesh and the player.

Bangladesh national football team’s head coach Javier Cabrera called up two new faces while excluding one from the previous squad when declaring a 32-member preliminary squad for the two FIFA Friendly matches against Afghanistan next month.

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. 

Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera appeared to be taking a contemplative walk around the artificial turf at the Karnataka State Association Stadium in Bengaluru with his head bowed and his hands behind his back before starting the final preparations for today's SAFF Championship match against Maldives.

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