Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on Saturday (May 14) called up 21 footballers to join the phase-1 national training camp for the AFC Asian Cup 2023 and for the FIFA Tier-1 International Friendly. Bangladesh team will play the friendly against Indonesia on June 1 and compete in the qualifying round of the AFC Asian Cup in Malaysia from June 8-14, under newly-appointed head coach Javier Cabrera. Selected footballers have been asked to report to Team Manager Iqbal Hossain on Monday (May16) at 6 pm to join the national residential training camp at Radisson Blue Water Garden in Dhaka. Maximum five players were taken from Dhaka Abahani Limited, four players each from Saif SC and Sheikh Russel KC and three booters from Sheikh Jamal DC. Players of the league champions Bashundhara Kings, now in Kolkata to compete in the AFC Cup Football, are yet to be included in the squad. Selected players are : Tutul Hossain Badsha, Sahidul Alam Sohel, Rakib Hossain, Nabib Newaz Jibon, Abu Sayed (Dhaka Abahani), Ruyadul Hasan, Jamal Bhuyan, Maraz Hossain, Foysal Ahmed Fahim (Saif SC), Rahmat Mia, Saaduddin, Hemanta Vincent Biswas, Ashraful Islam  Rana (Sheikh Russel KC), Mohammad Nayeem, Mitul Marma, Rayhan Hasan (Sheikh Jamak SC), Jafar Iqbal (Mohammedan SC), Isa Faysal,(Police FC), Sohel Rana (Ctg Abahani) and Papon Singh (Uttar Barishara). Asif Hasan of BFF Elite Academy included in the team only for training purposes.  

Indian captain Sunil Chhetri scored twice to beat Bangladesh 2-0 after about 12 years in a crucial FIFA World Cup and AFC qualifying match at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Monday. With the day's well deserved victory, India  advanced to the 3rd slot in the five-team group E for the first time toppling Afghanistan.  Securing six points from seven matches, India brightened their chance to qualify for the next round of the AFC Asian Cup 2023. The match was goalless until the 78th minute. But Indian captain cum celebrated footballer Sunil Chhetri came to his team’s rescue sending the ball twice to the post in a span of only 12 minutes, leaving Bangladeshi fans stunned. Also read: FIFA, AFC Qualifiers: Shohel Rana to miss remaining matches due to injury Sunil put India ahead in the 79th minute by an eye- catching header from goal mouth melee (1-0). He sealed the Indian victory scoring his 2nd goal (2-0) by a straight shot from danger zone in the stoppage time (90+2 minute).  India deserved the victory dominating Bangladesh for most of the proceedings. After the match, Bangladesh remained at the bottom of the five-team Group E, securing two points from seven matches. Qatar is now leading the points table, securing 19 points from seven matches while Oman have secured 12 and Afghanistan five points. Bangladesh played out a 1-1 draw against host India in their first-round group match in Kolkata 2019. In their previous group match in Doha Thursday, Bangladesh drew 1-1 with Afghanistan while India conceded a 0-1 defeat against host Qatar. In the day's match, Bangladesh made one change in their previous line up (played against Afghanistan) including Manik Hossain Mollah in place of injury-hit midfielder Sohel Rana. Dependable defender Riyadul Hasan saved Bangladesh from a sure goal foiling an Indian attack from goal line in the 35th minute. Bangladesh custodian Anisur Rahman Zico made at least four brilliant saves in the match. Four Bangladeshi players--Rakib Hossain,Rahmat Miya Biplo Ahmed and Jamal Bhuyan were cautioned with yellow cards. Also read: FIFA, AFC Qualifiers: Bangladesh play 1-1 draw with Afghanistan Bangladesh team in day's match: Anisur Rahman Zico, Rahmat Miya, Topu Barman, Riyadul Hasan, Tariq Raihan Kazi, Jamal Bhuyan (C),  Masuk Miya Zoni (Md Ibrahim), Manik Hossain Mollah,  Biplu Ahmed, Matin Miah (Sumon Reza) and Rakib Hossain (Mehdi Hasan).

The year 2019 was tumultuous year for Bangladesh football, which witnessed its fair share of highs and lows over the past 12 months. Overall though, it has to be said that under Englishman Jamie Day, the men’s national team seem to be on to a good thing for the first time in years. It remains to be seen how much further the team can progress under his tutelage. Before turning the page to 2020, let's look back at the year that was for Bangladesh football.   Slight improvement in FIFA rankings   The Bangladesh Men’s National football team started the year 2019 ranked a dismal 192nd out of 210 nations in the FIFA rankings. They moved to 188th slot in April and then jumped up five place to move 183rd in June and then 182nd in July. That would remain the peak for the year however, as they again slipped down to 184th in October and finally ended the year at 187th with 915 points – so not all that much better in the end, but certainly not worse.