Sports Desk:

Bangladesh national football team players have overcome their initial problems of normal breathing in Thimphu’s high altitude and adapted to the artificial turf of the Changlimithang Football Stadium, where they will face hosts Bhutan in two FIFA international friendlies.

Spanish coach Javier Cabrera’s charges needed four days’ of training, including a two-hour long mount training day after reaching Thimphu on Friday, to acclimatise with the local environment.

The games are scheduled on Thursday and Sunday with the goal of winning, as Bangladesh need to improve their FIFA rankings to secure Pot-3 rather than Pot-4 during the draw of the third round of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in December 2024.

‘We did not feel breathing problems during the day’s two practice sessions… All could comfortably do their practice today (Monday). I hope we all will get rid of this fear (of breathing problems) after the training sessions tomorrow [Wednesday],’ said forward Foysal Ahmed Fahim after Tuesday’s training session.

Another forward, Shekh Morsalin, blamed the three-month-long gap of an international match for initial difficulties of adjustment with artificial turf and was hopping to play pressure-free games against Bhutan.

Bangladesh last played an international match on June 11, 2024, when they conceded a 4-0 defeat to Lebanon in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers in Qatar.

‘We had a long gap… So, initially, we were facing problems adjusting to playing on artificial turf; gradually, things fell in positive ways, and we have already adjusted,’ said Morsalin.

‘Now we will look to play match by match. I don’t see to show any excuse because they [Bhutan] will also play on the same ground,’ he added.

‘Winning both games is very important for us. I hope we will be able to play pressure-free games and will be able to replicate the coach’s game plan. No matter whoever is going to score, ultimately we need to score and win the games.

‘I know, expectation has grown up on us following the under-20 team winning the SAFF title, and we will try not to disappoint the country people,’ concluded the 18-year-old forward.