United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh National Football team, now in Thimphu to play two FIFA International Friendlies against hosts Bhutan, made their 2nd consecutive practice sessions at the Changlimithang Stadium in the Bhutanese capital from 2:pm to 4:pm on Tuesday. Bangladesh will play two FIFA International Friendlies with hosts Bhutan opn September 5 and 8, both at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu. Bangladesh team, which reached the Bhutanese capital Friday afternoon, started their preparations in Thimphu with first-ever mountain hiking for about two hours near Buddha point in Thimphu Saturday morning. They made their gym session at the team hotel Sunday morning, first on field practice session at the artificial turf of the Changjiji Stadium Sunday afternoon and prepared themselves at the match venue-- Changlimithang Stadium on Monday afternoon. Bangladesh team will address official press conference on Wednesday at 2:30 pm at the Changlimithang Stadium premises and make their official and final practice session at the same venue Wednesday evening at 6 pm. During the day's practice session, Bangladesh forward Faysal Ahmed Fahim said, "today, we feel more comfortable with local conditions than last day (Monday), we are recovering fast from stamina problems, we came here for win, we have no other alternatives but to score goal for win giving our full strength. Footballers of Bangladesh team: Goalkeeper : Mitul Marma, Shujon Hossain and Pappu Hossain ..Defender: Topu Barman, Bishwanath Ghosh, Md Saaduddin, Mehdi Hasan, Rahmat Mia, Isha Faysal Shakil Hossain and Shakil Ahad Topu. Midfielder : Sohel Rana, Mohammad Hridoy, Jamal Bhuyan, Md Sohel Rana, Mirajul Islam, Chandan Roy and Mojibur Rahman Rony Forward: Rakib Hossain, Shekh Morsalin, Faysal Ahmed Fahim, Shahiar Emon and Rabby Hossain Rahul.

Striker Luis Suárez will play his last game for Uruguay on Friday. Suárez was emotional as he announced he's ending a 17-year international career after the World Cup qualifier against Paraguay at Centenario Stadium. “It hurts to say it, but Friday will be my last match with my country’s national team,” Suárez said late Monday, unable to hold back tears at a press conference. “I am retiring because I want to step aside. I am 37 years old, there are a lot of talented players, and I know it would be difficult to get to the next World Cup. It is comforting to know I can retire on my terms and not have to retire due to injuries, or to not being called up. I want to say goodbye here, with my people. This is the ideal moment.” Suárez made his debut in 2007 and is Uruguay's all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 142 matches. He played in four World Cups and five Copa America. He helped to lead the team to the title at the 2011 Copa, where he scored twice in the semifinals and the match-winner in the final and was named player of the tournament. “It's very difficult but I want to be relaxed when I play my last game with the national team,” he said. “I will be just as excited as I was for my first national team appearance in 2007 when I was a 19-year-old kid. Now, I am a veteran, an older player, whatever you want to call it, with an incredible history with the national team and I will give my life for the team on Friday.” In the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals, Suárez prevented Ghana from scoring an extra-time winner with his hand on the goal-line, and was red-carded. Ghana missed the resulting penalty kick, Uruguay won a penalty shootout and reached the semifinals for the first time in 40 years. Suárez was hailed at home as a saviour, but he was scorned at the 2014 World Cup when he bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in their last group game. It was the third of four times in his career he bit a player. FIFA banned Suarez for nine games, the longest ban in World Cup history, and he missed the rest of the tournament and the 2015 Copa America. “My fear has always been that my lasting image for my children and all Uruguayan fans would be of 2014," Suárez said. ”I have gotten past that. And I hope the people have also forgotten and they are left with all the great moments I lived in our stadium, with all the things our team accomplished, in Copas America, in World Cups." He reached 100 caps at the 2018 World Cup and was twice named man of the match en route to the quarterfinals. But in 2022, Uruguay didn't get out of their group. Suárez will continue at Inter Miami, which he has previously said will be his last club. He's also had a stellar career at clubs including Barcelona, Liverpool, Ajax and Atletico Madrid.

Defending champions Bangladesh will be in three-team strong Group A of the seven- nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women's Championship' 2024 schedule for Nepalese capital Kathmandu in October next Host Nepal was placed in a comparatively easier four-team Group B with Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan. Two arch rivals India and Pakistan will meet each other in the tournament opener on October 17 at 5:30 pm local time at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu. Holders Bangladesh will start their campaign in the regional women's football meet taking on Pakistan on October 20 also at 5:30 pm at the same venue. Bangladesh will play their remaining group match with their giant neighbor India on October 23 at the same time and same venue. Top two teams from each of the two groups will play in the semifinals, both on October 27 at the same venue. Group A champions will take on Group B runners up in the first semifinal at 1:30 pm while Group B champions will meet Group A runners up in the day's other semifinal at 5:30 pm. The final match will be held on October 30 at 5:30 pm. Bangladesh clinched SAFF Women's title last time also in Kathmandu beating hosts Nepal by 3-1 goals in the final.

Bangladesh National Football team, now in Thimphu to play two FIFA International Friendlies against hosts Bhutan, made their first gym and practice sessions on Sunday. Bangladesh team made their gym session at the team hotel in Thimphu Sunday morning from 11 am to 12 noon. Later, they made their first practice session at the artificial turf of the Changjiji Stadium in Thimphu on Sunday from 5 to 7 pm. Assistant Coach of Bangladesh team Hasan Al Mamun said. "We worked on strength in the day's gym session, all of our players are now fully fit, we are proceeding on the right track and our players are motivated to bring good results and victory for the country.” Bangladesh team, which reached the Bhutanese capital Friday afternoon, made their first-ever mountain hiking for about two hours near Buddha point in Thimphu Saturday morning. Earlier, Bangladesh Football team reached Bhutan Friday (August 30) afternoon by a flight of Druk Air to play two FIFA International football matches at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu on September 5 and 8. The Spanish Head Coach of Bangladesh National Football team Javier Cabrera on Thursday (Aug 29) announced a 23-member Bangladesh squad including four players from fresh SAFF U-20 Champions Bangladesh team--forward Mirajul Islam, Rabby Hossain Rahul, Chandan Roy and defender Shakil Ahad. Footballers of Bangladesh team: Goalkeeper : Mitul Marma, Shujon Hossain and Pappu Hossain Defender: Topu Barman, Bishwanath Ghosh, Md Saaduddin, Mehdi Hasan, Rahmat Mia, Isha Faysal Shakil Hossain and Shakil Ahad Topu. Midfielder : Sohel Rana, Mohammad Hridoy, Jamal Bhuyan, Md Sohel Rana, Mirajul Islam, Chandan Roy and Mojibur Rahman Rony Forward: Rakib Hossain, Shekh Morsalin, Faysal Ahmed Fahim, Shahiar Emon and Rabby Hossain Rahul.

Bangladesh National Football team reached the Bhutanese capital Thimphu Friday afternoon to play two FIFA International Friendlies against hosts Bhutan. Earlier, Bangladesh Football team left Dhaka for Thimphu at 1:20 pm by a flight of Druk Air to play two FIFA International matches in Thimphu on September 5 and 8. The Spanish Head Coach of Bangladesh National Football team Javier Cabrera in the last moment on Thursday (Aug 29) announced a 23-member final squad of Bangladesh team including four players from the just concluded SAFF U-20 Champions Bangladesh team. The four U-20 booters are: forward Mirajul Islam, Rabby Hossain Rahul, Chandan Roy and defender Shakil Ahad. A partial team of Bangladesh, under the Spanish head coach Javier Cabrera made a three- day practice session here for Bhutan tour and left for Thimphu five day's ahead of the match to adjust with local height and conditions. Bangladesh team members are: Goalkeeper : Mitul Marma, Shujon Hossain and Pappu Hossain Defender: Topu Barman, Bishwanath Ghosh, Md Saaduddin, Mehdi Hasan, Rahmat Mia, Isha Faysal  Shakil Hossain and Shakil Ahad Topu. Midfielder : Sohel Rana,  Mohammad Hridoy, Jamal Bhuyan, Md Sohel Rana,  Mirajul Islam, Chandan Roy and Mojibur Rahman Rony Forward: Rakib Hossain, Shekh Morsalin, Faysal Ahmed Fahim, Shahiar Emon and Rabby Hossain Rahul.

The 2026 World Cup is coming to North America with an ambitious plan, expanding the field by 50% and spreading the soccer spectacle over 16 cities in three countries with multiple climates and elevations. FIFA, aiming to create the perfect pitch for every venue, partnered with turf experts at the University of Tennessee and Michigan State University to research and develop the best surfaces for the tournament. When the World Cup begins in less than two years with 48 teams playing 104 matches in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, no one wants the field — or pitch, as many soccer aficionados call it — to be a topic of conversation like it was earlier this summer for a different major tournament. The Copa America, which South American soccer body CONMEBOL organizes every four years, was dogged by problems with shaky surfaces. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez called the grass field that replaced artificial turf a “disaster," after beating Canada in the opener on June 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Criticism continued with other teams and coaches early in the tournament. “FIFA has high expectations and demands that we can’t have any any failures,” John Sorochan, professor of turfgrass science and management at Tennessee, said recently in a telephone interview. “That's why they're supporting so much research and preparation so that they don't have what happened at Copa, and the embarrassment of what CONMEBOL had.” Like at this year's Copa America, some football stadiums — including some with a roof — will host games at the next World Cup. Sorochan, along with his mentor and former professor at Michigan State, Trey Rogers, addressed a similar challenge three decades ago when the World Cup first visited the United States in 1994 and games were played indoors at the Pontiac Silverdome in suburban Detroit. “One of the easiest decisions I have made around this tournament so far was the partnering of UT and MSU universities,” said Alan Ferguson, FIFA26 director of infrastructure and technical services. “Both already had world-leading reputations, both already led by world-leading turf professors. I didn’t want to reinvent the wheel — it was already here.” Climate change may be an additional variable, especially with games stretching from Mexico to Canada, and the turf experts are considering several varieties of surfaces to address it. “While new varieties of grasses have not been bred to specifically address the challenges of the World Cup, turfgrass breeding efforts over the past 20 years have released new grass varieties that have improved heat, drought, disease and wear tolerance,” Sorochan said earlier this week. Tennessee created what it calls a shade house to replicate an indoor stadium. Michigan State, meanwhile, has a 23,000-square-foot slab of asphalt to develop the concept of laying turf grown on plastic instead of soil on stadium surfaces. Rogers and his team test how the natural surface responds to a ball bouncing and when cleats make contact. A couple months ago at Copa America, Martínez said the ball jumped off the field as if it was a springboard. In two years, Rogers said the goal is to not hear anyone discussing the playing surface at the World Cup. “If nobody mentions the field," he said, "we know we’ve done our job.”

The Bangladesh U-20 football team recently clinched the SAFF U-20 Championship 2024, defeating Nepal by a commanding 4-1 margin. To inspire the team to maintain their momentum, the Bangladesh government has announced plans to host a reception in their honor. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser on Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, confirmed the news following a meeting of the interim government's advisers on Thursday. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus presided over the meeting at the state guesthouse Jamuna. “We have received two very good news from our sports arena. One is that Bangladesh has become the champion for the first time in the SAFF U-20 Football Championship 2024,” said Syeda Rizwana Hasan. “Today, in the Advisory Council, it was decided that we will organize a reception for this football team. Another (good news) is that the Bangladesh national cricket team has defeated Pakistan. The enthusiasm among the players is clear. For that, I congratulate all the coaches, players, officials, and the boards,” she added. Both victories—the Bangladesh U-20 team’s triumph in the SAFF Championship and the national cricket team’s win over Pakistan in a Test match—are historic as they never achieved these before. Bangladesh had played 13 Tests against Pakistan before the recently concluded Rawalpindi Test, and in their 14th attempt, they secured their first-ever Test victory against Pakistan.  

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) congratulated the National Under-20 men’s football team for their victory in the SAFF U-20 Championship 2024, held in Nepal. The cricket board lauded the players, coaches, and management for their remarkable achievement. “Our Under-20 football team has shone brightly on the international stage through their hard work, perseverance, and talent. This victory is a proud moment for all of us,” BCB President Faruque Ahmed said. “We join the entire nation in celebrating this achievement and eagerly anticipate many more successes in the future,” he added. In the final of the event, Bangladesh beat Nepal 4-1. Bangladesh team members said the win is a tribute to the martyrs of the recent revolution that ousted the government of Sheikh Hasina, the longest-serving prime minister of Bangladesh, who increasingly became an autocrat, and the victims of the recent flood.  

Bangladesh clinched their first-ever SAFF U-20 Championship title, crushing  hosts Nepal by 4-1 goals in the final at the ANFA Complex in Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Wednesday afternoon.  With the day's feat, Bangladeshi boys not only won their maiden title at this level, but also took sweet revenge for their 1-2 goal defeat against Nepal in the group stage match. In the day's final, Mirajul Islam struck twice; Rabby Hossain Rahul and Pias Ahmed Nova netted one goal for the coach's Bangladesh team, which dominated the first half by a solitary goal. Mirajul Islam also emerged as the highest scorer of the tournament, scoring four individual goals. Bangladesh, which never won the SAFF U-18, U-19, and U-20 age group football crowns, today achieved their long cherished target comfortably, outplaying Himalayan nation Nepal 4-1 in the final and eliminating the last-time champions India by 4-3 goals in the tiebreaker in the semifinal. Mirajul Islam opened the floodgate for Bangladesh in the added time of the first half with a brilliant free kick from the top of the box that kissed the Nepalese net hitting bar (1-0). He doubled the Bangladesh margin in the 55th minute by a header from goalmouth melee (2-0).  Rabbi Hossain Rahul scored the 3rd goal for Bangladesh in the 71st minute by a good shot (3-0). Samir Tamang reduced the Nepalese margin in the 81st minute (3-1). Pias Ahmed Nova sealed the fate of scoring the 4th goal for Bangladesh in the added time of the match (90+6 minute).  The Bangladesh team missed their captain and number one goalkeeper, Mehdi Hasan Srabon, in the final due to injury, along with reliable Marma's red card.  Earlier, Bangladesh booked a seat for the semis as the Group A runners up with three points, beating Sri Lanka 2-0 and losing to hosts Nepal by 1-2 goals, and they reached the final stunning holders. India by 4-3 goals in the breaker as the match was locked in 1-1 goals in schedule time.  Nepal emerged as Group A champions to qualify for the semis with an all-win run, securing a full six points from straight two matches, beating Sri Lanka 1-0 and Bangladesh 2-1, and they reached the final, eliminating Bhutan by 4-1 goals in the tiebreaker in the first semifinal on Sunday.

Bangladesh will face hosts Nepal in the final of the SAFF U-20 Championship'2024 on Wednesday (August 28) for their maiden title. The title deciding match will kick off at 2:45 pm Bangladesh time at the ANFA Complex, Lalitpur in Kathmandu. The Bangladesh team will miss their captain and number one goalkeeper, Mehdi Hasan Srabon, in Wednesday's final due to injury. Ahead of the final, Bangladesh coach Maruful Haque said, "From day one,to till now, we are in the right track, if we make our players fully fit in the field, and will play according to our plan, then we do hope we will bring the trophy home. Earlier in the 2nd semifinal on Monday, two brilliant saves by substitute goalkeeper Mohammad Asif guided Bangladesh to the final of the SAFF U-20 meet, eliminating three-time champions and holders India by 4-3 goals in the breaker. The crucial 2nd semifinal match between two neighbouring countries was locked in 1-1 goals in the stipulated 90 minutes at the same venue. In the stipulated period, Asadul Mollah put the Bangladesh U-20 team ahead in the 36th minute by a nice placing shot from the danger zone, capitalising on a good left wing cross from his teammate amid huge cheers from small Bangladeshi fans (1-0). Ricky Meetei Haobom gave the lifeline for India in the 75th minute, scoring the equaliser by a ground shot from goalmouth melee (1-1). Earlier, Bangladesh booked a seat for the semis as the Group A runners up with three points, beating Sri Lanka 2-0 and losing to hosts Nepal by 1-2 goals. Nepal emerged as Group A champions to qualify for the semis with an all-win run, securing a full six points from straight two matches, beating Sri Lanka 1-0 and Bangladesh 2-1, and they reached the final, eliminating Bhutan by 4-1 goals in the tiebreaker in the first semifinal on Sunday.   END/UNB/MMK/MB