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Argentina vs Croatia Semi-Final Preview: FIFA World Cup 2022
No matter what football tradition, history, or FIFA rankings say, there is no such thing as a big or small team in the semifinals of the World Cup. And FIFA World Cup 2022 does not have that at all. Four teams have entered the semifinals as qualifying teams after passing difficult steps one after another. So, the first semifinal between Argentina and Croatia tonight will be a close match.
Time and Venue of Argentina vs Croatia Semi-final Match
Argentina and Croatia will meet in the first semifinal at Lusile Stadium on Tuesday, December 13, at 10 PM local time, and Wednesday, December 14, at 1 AM Bangladesh time.
Argentina vs Croatia: Head-to-Head Record So Far
This is not the first time that the two countries have faced each other on the world stage; these two teams have faced each other before. The two countries met for the first time in 1994 in an international friendly match. The match ended in a goalless draw. Four years later, they met for the second time in the 1998 World Cup, which was a first in the World Cup. In that match, Argentina left the field with a 1-0 victory.
Then in 2006, they met for the third time in an international friendly match. Where the Croats left the field with a 3-2 victory. In 2014, the two teams met again in an international friendly match for the fourth time. Albiceleste left the field with a 2-1 goal difference.
After that, in 2018, they met for the fifth time at the World Cup in Russia. Croatia defeated Argentina 3-0 in that match of the group stage. That memory is still fresh. So, they will surely want to repeat it. However, we will have to wait until the end of the match on December 13 to finally see who wins the crucial semifinal match.
In total 5 matches, Croats won 2 matches, and one ended with no result. However, both countries are equal in World Cup statistics. Argentina and Croatia have won 1 match each in two appearances.
Read More: FIFA World Cup 2022: Semi-Final Round Overview
Argentina's Performance So Far in the FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022: An Overview
Two-time world champions Argentina stepped into the leadership of Lionel Messi in Qatar from 36 matches unbeaten to break the 36-year title drought. But the Albiceleste suffered a big blow in that mission by losing a 2-1 goal against Saudi Arabia in their opening match. Then they won against Poland and Mexico by 2-0 goals in both games. Argentines reached the quarter with a 2-1 victory over Australia in the knock out stage. After that, the Albiceleste confirmed the semifinals once again in 2014 by defeating the Netherlands in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals. Now they are in the semifinals.
Then they turned around and won four straight games, and now they are in the semifinals, where they got the previous season's runner-up Croatia as an opponent.
Although Argentina is in a good rhythm, they will have to start the match without defenders Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna, as they received their second yellow card of the tournament in their last match.
Montiel saw his very first yellow card of the World Cup against Saudi Arabia. So Scaloni was playing him consciously, but in the end he was not saved. The defender had to see a yellow card despite coming on as a substitute against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. According to FIFA rules, he will miss the next match.
Same situation with Acuna. He got a yellow card against the Poland which was the last match of the group stage. He saw second yellow card of the tournament in the second half against the Dutch. Without getting two defenders in the semifinals, Scaloni must be in a tough situation, which will be a weak point for Argentina.
On the other hand, another history will give confidence to the Argentina camp. Argentina did not lose any semifinals in the World Cup. Before the World Cup in Qatar, Argentina had played in the semifinals four times so far, in 1930, 1986, 1990, and 2014. Argentina is the favorite in the semifinals, regardless of the opponent team. Where they never had to see the face of defeat.
Argentina's players to watch:
Lionel Messi, Alexis Mac Allister, Emiliano Martinez.
Read More: FIFA World Cup 2022 Argentina vs Croatia LIVE Streaming: Where and How to watch online and TV Channel, Predicted XI
An Overview of Croatia's Performance in the 2022 World Cup
Meanwhile, Croatia has not lost a single match in Qatar World Cup. With one win and two draws, Croatia entered the last sixteen as group runners-up. After that, the Croats defeated the famous Blue Samurai Japan in the penalty shootout and reached the quarterfinals. And in the first quarterfinal, Croatia defeated the five-time world champion Brazil in a tiebreaker to confirm the semifinal. Where they got two-time world champions Argentina. When Croatia reached the final at the last World Cup, it was, according to many, unexpected. Now Croatia is on the way to the final again.
Croatia got a historic win against the football powerhouse Brazil in the quarterfinals. Neither team scored in the scheduled 90 minutes. In extra time, Brazil's Neymar skillfully broke through the opponent's defense and scored a spectacular goal. But Croatia quickly leveled the score. Croatia beat Brazil 4-2 in a penalty shootout.
Apparently, Croatian captain, Luca Modric has been playing an important as a captain in all their matches. However, Modric is playing a little lower, and his game is acting as Croatia's engine. Modric often played defensively in the quarterfinal against Brazil. Modric's long pass also contributed to the goal that equalized Croatia.
Croatia does not have any injury or suspension report. So, all the regular players will appear in the semifinal.
Croatia's players to watch:
Dominik Livakovic, Josko Gvardiol, Luka Modric.
Read More: Messi, Modric carry Argentina, Croatia into World Cup semis
Probable Starting Squad of Argentina vs Croatia Semi-final Match
How Scaloni will line up the squad against the Croats can only be guessed because he sets everything at the very last moment. Di Maria is returning fully fit, and Rodrigo de Paul will be in the first eleven in midfield. Nicolás Tagliafico will fill Acuna's deficit at left back. Enzo and Mac Allister should start in the first eleven in this match as well.
Argentina:
Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, Fernandez, De Paul, Mac Allister, Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez.
Croatia:
Livakovic, Juranovic, Gvardiol, Lovren, Sosa, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic.
Argentina vs Croatia Semi-final Match Result Prediction
Analyzing Croatia's past record and the performance in this World Cup, Messi's team may lose the game in the tiebreaker. There might not be any goals in 90 minutes. Earlier in the World Cup in Russia, Croatia won two tiebreakers in the knockout stages. Along with this, Croatia won the tiebreaker with Japan and Brazil in the 2022 Word Cup so far. Although the team could not keep the ball in the allotted 90 minutes, they contributed well to the tiebreaker.
Who is the Referee in Argentina vs Croatia Semifinal match?
There has been much controversy about the refereeing of the Argentina-Netherlands quarterfinal match. Argentina accused the Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz was not up to the mark.
Italy's Daniele Orsato has been assigned the role of referee in the Argentina-Croatia match in the semifinals. 47 years old, Orsato has already managed Argentina's matches. He was in charge of the Argentina-Mexico match on the group stage. Earlier, the opening match of the tournament between Qatar and Ecuador was managed by this Italian referee.
In addition to that, Orsato has experience officiating several important matches in the Italian league Serie A and the 2020 UEFA Champions League Final.
Read More: After Neymar, Croatia aim to end Messi’s World Cup dream
Final Words
Croatia has been performing great in this World Cup, and this match will be tough for both teams. However, all the attention will be on Messi, who has been ruling the football world for more than a decade. But, Messi may find difficulties entering Croatia's strong defense. According to the power and rhythm, Croatia is clearly ahead of Argentina. So, the FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 tournament's Argentina vs Croatia semi-final match will surely be entertaining for the fans.
After Neymar, Croatia aim to end Messi’s World Cup dream
Croatia has already ended Neymar’s World Cup dream. Now it hopes to do the same to Lionel Messi.
Croatia, runner-up in 2018, is the next obstacle for Argentina to overcome on Tuesday in the semifinals as Messi aims to win the one major trophy that has eluded him.
But Croatia, which lost to France in the final in Russia, is on its own mission to go one step further this time around.
READ: FIFA World Cup 2022: Semi-Final Round Overview
“I don’t think we need to fear anybody. We need to look at ourselves to play our best game,” Croatia defender Josip Juranovic said Sunday. “I would say the secret of our success is our togetherness, our unity. The fact that we act and play as a family.”
Neymar was left in tears after Croatia beat Brazil 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw through extra time in their quarterfinal match.
Messi has been in inspired form during Argentina’s run to the semifinals, scoring four goals in five games. His assist for Nahuel Molina against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals was a moment of magic from the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Messi appears to have taken it on himself to lead his country to its third World Cup triumph and a first since 1986.
Argentina last reached the final in 2014 — losing 1-0 to Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Brazil. That was as close as Messi has come to lifting soccer’s biggest trophy and he is just one game away from having another shot at it.
Croatia appears calm for now ahead of the game at Lusail Stadium.
READ: Messi, Modric carry Argentina, Croatia into World Cup semis
“We don’t have a specific plan, at least not yet, for stopping Lionel Messi,” Croatia striker Bruno Petkovic said. “Usually we don’t concentrate on just stopping one player but the whole team.
“The way we approach that is we need to stop them as a team. Not by man marking or some kind of similar tactics. Argentina is not only Messi.”
One of Croatia’s main strengths is a midfield led by Real Madrid star Luka Modric.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić described it as the best midfield in the world after beating Brazil, adding that it “paralyzed” Neymar and Brazil.
“I think Mateo (Kovacic), Luka (Modric) and Marcelo (Brozovic) are the best Croatian midfield in history,” Juranovic added. “When you pass them the ball it’s safer than having your money in the bank. Everything gets real easy when you play with them.”
Tchouaméni shows at World Cup why Mbappé wanted him at PSG
Kylian Mbappé is finally getting his chance to play alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni with France into the World Cup semifinals and Morocco up next on Wednesday.
Tchouaméni’s displays at the heart of the France midfield — and his impressive goal against England in the quarterfinals — have shown why Real Madrid paid 80 million euros ($84.5 million) to sign him in June.
The 22-year-old Tchouaméni, who loves American culture and cites Barack Obama as an inspiration, moved to Madrid despite Mbappé tempting him to team up together at Paris Saint-Germain.
Six months ago, it was far from clear Tchouaméni would be a starter for France in its bid to become the first team in 60 years to successfully defend its World Cup title. Injuries to Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté, the midfield standouts from four years ago, opened the way to an unlikely new pairing of Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot.
REad: FIFA World Cup 2022: Semi-Final Round Overview
In 2018, Rabiot had exiled himself from the France team and Tchouaméni was an 18-year-old prospect at Bordeaux drawing comparisons to the established stars.
Tchouaméni has the tall elegance of Pogba and, as he showed in France’s 2-1 win over England, shooting power from distance.
He revealed back in 2018 he earned the tag “TchouaNgolo” after showing ball recovery skills matching Kanté, the master of that art.
Two seasons in the first team at Bordeaux, alongside his good friend and now France teammate Jules Koundé, earned a step up in 2020 to Monaco, where Mbappé was nurtured as a teenager.
This year, Tchouaméni had his choice of top European clubs. He turned down Champions League finalist Liverpool and opted instead for the Madrid team that won that title.
He is now learning from Madrid teammates Luka Modrić and 2014 World Cup winner Toni Kroos, who wears the No. 8 shirt that Tchouaméni has with France.
Education is important to the young Frenchman, who said this year he was attracted at a young age to American culture through following the NBA.
“Right away I got hooked on the United States, through great athletes, great musicians or historical figures of this great country, like Martin Luther King, Barack Obama,” Tchouaméni said in an interview published by his then-club Monaco.
Read: Morocco become first African & Arab nation to reach WC semis
He said he started to learn English to better understand the music he was listening to.
After keeping England phenom Jude Bellingham quiet for much of the match against England, Tchouaméni is one win away from reaching the final at his first major tournament.
Waiting for him across the field Sunday would be an iconic No. 10 — either Croatia captain Modrić or Argentina captain Lionel Messi.
Qatar bustles with life as World Cup nears end
Qatar is still bustling with life just days before the end of the first World Cup in the Middle East.
At Katara beach in Doha, children play soccer on the golden sand during the day, while others go for a swim at night in waters lit by the capital’s glimmering skyline.
Messi, Modric carry Argentina, Croatia into World Cup semis
Tears are flowing from soccer’s biggest superstars as they make emotional exits from what might be their last World Cup.
First it was Neymar. Then it was Cristiano Ronaldo. Could Lionel Messi be next?
Momentum is building behind Messi’s push to cap his career with the biggest prize in the game. The 35-year-old Argentina playmaker has carried his team to the semifinals, almost in the same way Diego Maradona — the man with whom Messi is so often compared — led the South American nation to its second and most recent World Cup title in 1986.
Now in Argentina’s way is Croatia, a country with a population of 4 million which is establishing a reputation as the most stubborn and durable of opponents while also boasting one of soccer’s most graceful players in Luka Modric.
The teams go head to head at Lusail Stadium — also the venue for Sunday’s final — in a meeting between the last two runners-up at the tournament: Argentina in 2014 and Croatia in 2018.
Argentina might have been expected to be in this position. The team arrived at the World Cup as the Copa America champion, on a 36-match unbeaten run and with Messi back in sublime form for Paris Saint-Germain.
There was much less noise around the Croatians, yet they keep on surprising just like four years ago when their run to the final included a 3-0 victory over Argentina in the group stage. They also reached the World Cup semifinals in 1998.
Both teams have come through uncomfortable moments. Argentina’s darkest time was right at the start of the tournament, after a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in what will go down as one of the World Cup’s biggest upsets.
Inspired by Messi and one of the most fervent fan followings in Qatar, Argentina won its final two group games, ended up squeezing past Australia 2-1 in the round of 16 and then required penalties to get past the Netherlands in a wild quarterfinal match.
Messi now has four goals in the tournament in Qatar, leaving him one behind top scorer Kylian Mbappé. They are probably the two standout players at a World Cup that has seen many other top players live up to their lofty reputations.
Modric is a case in point.
He might not have scored a goal. He hasn’t even had an assist. But don’t underestimate the importance to Croatia of the little magician who keeps things ticking in midfield and manages to assert some control for a team which fights until the last minute.
In 2018, each of Croatia’s knockout games went into extra time before the team lost to France in the final, and the same thing is happening in Qatar, with victories in penalty shootouts over Japan in the last 16 and Brazil in the quarterfinals.
Croatia looked more comfortable against Brazil than against Japan, which shows the team might be happier to invite pressure and choose its moments to break forward rather than control games and be more susceptible to the counterattack.
Containing Messi will be key and much of the responsibility there lies with holding midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, who protected Croatia’s defense so well against Brazil.
Argentina will be without two players because of suspension: left back Marcos Acuña and right back Gonzalo Montiel. Acuña is the bigger miss, having impressed since coming into the team after the loss to Saudi Arabia, and he is likely to be replaced by Nicolás Tagliafico.
BGB make good start to Victory Day Handball
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) made a good start to the Victory Day Handball (Men's and Women's) Tournament 2022, beating Team Handball Dhaka by 38-11 goals in the men's group Monday.
At the Shaheed Captain M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium in the capital, BGB led the first half 19-4.
Read: Final phase of National Basketball begins Sunday
In the morning, actor Abul Hayat inaugurated the competition at a ceremony as the chief guest, with Bangladesh Handball Federation General Secretary Asaduzzaman Kohinoor in the chair.
In the day's other men's group match, Bangladesh Ansar and VDP beat Bangladesh Police Handball Club 38-30 after leading the first half 15-13 at the same venue in the afternoon.
In the women's group, Ansar and VDP defeated Badalgachhi Handball Association 23-15 after dominating the first session 16-8 at the same venue.
Taskin uncertain for Bangladesh vs India 1st Test
Bangladeshi fast bowler Taskin Ahmed’s participation in the first Test of the two-match series against India — starting on December 14 in Chattogram — is uncertain.
After being unavailable for the first two ODIs of the three-match series against India in Dhaka, he featured in the last ODI in Chattogram, suffering yet another injury that might hinder his performance and put his involvement in the upcoming Test in question.
“I just returned from an injury,” Taskin said during a media interaction on Monday. “The team management is concerned about my fitness.”
Read more: BAN vs IND Test Series 2022: Test Championship Scenarios, Squads, Fixtures, Venues, Head-to-Head Record
Taskin has expressed uncertainty regarding his availability for the upcoming first Test of the series, citing his injury and lingering doubts about his fitness levels.
In the last ODI of the series that Bangladesh ultimately lost by a large margin, Taskin conceded 89 runs in nine overs — it was the worst bowling figure he had ever recorded in the format. It was clear that the pacer was not at the peak of his form.
The second and last Test of the series will be played in Dhaka.
Read more: Bangladesh vs India: Taskin uncertain for 2nd ODI
Meanwhile, Indian captain Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the first Test due to an injury he sustained in the second ODI in Dhaka, which led to his absence from the Indian team in the third ODI.
Along with Rohit, the Indian team will also be without pace-bowler Mohammad Shami and allrounder Ravindra Jadeja for the first Test, although they may be available for the second Test in Dhaka.
Both teams had engaged in a three-match ODI series ahead of the Test series that Bangladesh ultimately won by 2-1. This marked the second ODI series win for Bangladesh over India, with the first victory coming in 2015.
FIFA World Cup 2022: Semi-Final Round Overview
This year's FIFA World Cup is coming to an end as 28 teams left after 60 matches. There have been several incidents and upsets at the World Cup in Qatar. Among the favorites, Brazil, Germany, and Spain are out. Portugal could not survive in the fight for the last eight. Croatia, Argentina, and Morocco, France will meet in the semifinals of the World Cup. Let’s take a look at the semi-final round of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
4 Teams in the FIFA World Cup semifinals
Last World Cup’s runners-up Croatia will face Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the first semifinal on December 13. In the next match, on December 15, Morocco will face the current champion France. Both matches will start at 1 am Bangladesh time.
Croatia
Croatia, the finalists of the World Cup in Russia, kept their glory in Qatar. Luka Modric’s team defeated Japan in the last sixteen as runners-up from Group F. The Croats booked their place in the semifinals by upsetting Brazil, who were on a mission to win the Hexa. The game ended 1-1 in extra time after neither team could score in the first 90 minutes.
After defeating Brazil by 4-2 in the tiebreaker, Croatia reached the last four. When Neymar scored a goal in the injury time of the first half of extra time, it seemed that one of the favorites in the tournament this time, Brazil, would go to the semifinals. But Petkovic’s goal late in the match equalized and eventually won the tiebreaker as Croatia reached the semifinals.
Croatia will face Argentina in the first semifinal of the tournament. This might be a tough match for Argentina as ever-dependable Luka Modric is in full form as their captain. Additionally, Josko Gvardiol will stay as the great wall of China in Croatian defense.
None of Croatia’s players saw a yellow card in the last eight matches against Brazil. So, no player will miss the match.
Overall, Croatia is a balanced team, as they have some good players in all positions. Hence, Croatia will have the edge over Argentina.
Read More: FIFA World Cup 2022 Argentina vs Croatia LIVE Streaming: Where and How to watch online and TV Channel, Predicted XI
Argentina
This time Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina confirmed the last sixteen from the ‘C’ group. Albicelestes are unbeaten after stumbling to Saudi Arabia in the group stage. After beating Mexico and Poland to become the group champion, Messi-De Paul’s team defeated Australia in the last sixteen and the Netherlands in a tiebreaker in the quarterfinals. Now their obstacle is Croatia on their way to the final.
Read More: FIFA charges Argentina for disorders at World Cup match
Like their opponent Croatia, Argentina beat the Netherlands in the same way in the tiebreaker. The game was drawn 2-2 draw in 90 minutes. With no goals in overtime, the game went to a tiebreaker. Lionel Messi’s Argentina won that by 4-3.
Referee Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz showed 18 yellow cards and one red card in the Argentina-Netherlands match in the quarterfinals. Among them, eight players from Argentina, including Lionel Messi. Apart from this, coach Lionel Scaloni and another member of the coaching staff, Walter Samuel, also received yellow cards.
It was Messi’s first yellow card in this world cup, so there is no problem for him to play in the semifinal. However, Acuna and Montiel saw their second yellow card at the World Cup in Qatar.
According to the FIFA 2022 World Cup laws, if a player receives a yellow card in any two matches from the group stage to the quarterfinals, the player will miss the match following the second yellow card. As a result, Acuna and Montiel will not be available in the semifinal matchup. So, Argentina might face problems because of their absence. And this might give them a chance to Croatia.
Morocco
Morocco, the lion of the Atlas Mountains, is showing strength throughout the tournament. The favorites like Belgium, Spain, and Portugal have been sent away by Morocco. For the first time in the history of the World Cup, Morocco has confirmed the semifinals as an African team.
After sharing points with Croatia on the group stage, the African nation defeated Canada and Belgium. Yassine Bounou’s team stopped Spain in a tiebreaker in the last sixteen. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal is also defeated by the Moroccans. Reigning champions France face Ziyesh-Hakimidi at Al Bait Stadium.
At the beginning of the World Cup, in group stages, Moroccan footballers ran a lot on the field. Now it seems they didn’t do it without purpose. Their recovery runs, challenges on the ball, everything has been good. Moroccans didn’t do anything unnecessary on the field with excessive passion; everything they did came in handy, and they eventually saw success.
Moroccan footballers’ main strength is the ability to run relentlessly. In the running, they seem to be the best athletic team in this World Cup. Some players play in Europe and Hakimi in PSG. Morocco is the best surprise of this World Cup with the quality of the players and maturity. Also, Yassine Bounou is another reason behind Morocco's win in all those games.
But, compared to their opponent, France, Morocco’s speed might not work, as stopping Mbappe will be very hard for them.
Read More: Morocco become first African & Arab nation to reach WC semis
France
Didier Deschamps’ French team is most favorite to win the World Cup 2022. The injury-plagued team played great in the group stage and secured the last sixteen. After beating Lewandowski’s Poland by a big margin, France faced another favorite, England. France made it to the last four after a hard-fought battle. Now, they will face Morocco to reach the Final.
This time, France reached the semifinals of the World Cup for the second consecutive time after defeating the English. Four years ago, coach Didier Deschamps’ team won the 2018 World Cup in Russia. This time, the French did not get star midfielders like N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba and world-famous forwards like Karim Benzema due to injuries.
Despite this, a number of young and experienced footballers continue to show eye-catching performances. Although there are some issues in the defense, it is compensated by the stars of the midfield and attack. Now they have a chance to become world champions for the second time in a row.
France is getting all their star in their semifinal. Except for the defense, they have a great rhythm in the midfield and attack. France is the favorite to win in the semi.
Read More: Argentina vs Croatia Semi-Final Preview: FIFA World Cup 2022
Final Words
There is no doubt that the 22nd FIFA World Cup in Qatar is the best in terms of incidents and surprises of medium-power teams. Like the 2018 World Cup in Russia, there is a bright possibility of a final between France and Croatia. But, again, this World Cup has been very unpredictable. Not to mention, the semi-final matches of FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 will be entertaining. Hence, we have to wait until Thursday to know the two finalists.
Second Division Football: Dhaka Junior SC beat Little Friends Club 2-0
Dhaka Junior Sporting Club of Siddik Bazar earned a 2-0 victory over Little Friends Club in a super league match of the Bashundhara Group Second Division Football at the Birshrestha Shaheed Sipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the capital's Kamalapur Sunday.
Sheikh Ahmad scored both goals for Dhaka Juniors within only five minutes – first in the 88th minute and second in the 93rd.
In the day's other match, Jabid Ahsan Sohel KC also beat Saif Sporting Club Youth team 2-0.
Read: Women's Football: Bashundhara Kings, Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College earn massive win
Mehedi Hasan put the winners in front in the 45+3 minute while Saifullah Sardar doubled the lead in the 46th minute.
In the day's other match, Kingstar Sporting Club defeated Kallol Sangha by the same margin. Iftesam Rahman Jidan netted the goals in the 28th and 31st minutes.
The day's remaining match between Purbachal Parishad and Kadamtala Sangsad ended in a 1-1 draw.
Mohammad Newaj put Purbachal Parishad ahead in the 38th minute while Mohammad Rohan equalized for Kadamtala Sangsad in the 60th minute.
Victory Day Handball begins on Monday
The Victory Day Handball (Men's and Women's) Tournament' 2022, organized by Bangladesh Handball Federation (BHF) on the occasion of the Victory Day, begins here on Monday (December 12) at the Shaheed (Capt) M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium in Paltan.
Cultural personality, popular actor and sports lover Engineer Abdul Hayat will inaugurate the tournament as chief guest Monday morning at a function to be chaired by BHF general secretary Asaduzzaman Kohinoor.
Read more: Premier Handball: Flame Boys Club finish 5th
Four matches-- two for men's and two for women's--will be held on the opening day (Monday).
In the men's section, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will play Team Handball, Dhaka at 11:30 am while Bangladesh Ansar & VDP will face Bangladesh Police Handball Club at 2:30 pm on the opening day
In the Women's section, Bangladesh Ansar & VDP will meet Badolgachi Handball Association at 1 pm while Jamalpur Sports Academy will encounter Bangladesh Police handball Club at 4 pm on Monday.