U-20s edge Abahani in practice match

Bangladesh Under-20 national team secured a 1-0 victory over Abahani in a closed-door practice match at the National Stadium on Sunday, even before holding a single training session under newly appointed Irish coach Mark Cox. The match was part of their preparation for this month’s SAFF U-20 Championship in Maldives.

Bangladesh will begin their regional youth championship campaign on March 24 against Pakistan before playing their final Group B match against India on March 28. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semifinals.

The Bangladesh Football Federation announced a 34-member preliminary squad on Saturday for a short preparation camp in Dhaka ahead of the team’s departure for Maldives on March 21. A total of 31 players reported on Saturday, while US-based twin brothers Ronan and Declan Sullivan arrived the following day. 

The team management attempted to give all players some game time against Abahani, who reportedly fielded a second-string side following their Bangladesh Football League match on Saturday. Nevertheless, the victory over a top-flight club is expected to boost the young players’ confidence ahead of the tournament.

“We’re still in the early days. It’s the first time some of these guys have played together, and many only met last night. However, I’m really happy with their commitment. We’ll get it all together. We don’t want to peak too early -- it’s about building step by step before going to the Maldives,” Cox said in a video message sent by the BFF media department.

USA-based midfielder Farzad Aftab admitted that the hot weather in Dhaka was challenging but described the experience as beneficial.

“The weather is tough, but it will be similar in Maldives. We just have to adapt to the conditions and to each other. It was a good experience. Now we need to correct our mistakes and prepare for the tournament,” he said.

Assistant coach Atiqur Rahman Meshu said the coaching staff tried to give all 31 available players some game time, with Ronan and Declan Sullivan scheduled to arrive in Dhaka later on Sunday.

“We will begin training from tomorrow after finalising our plan and then work on the mistakes made in today’s match,” said the former national defender in a video message.