Game Information:
When: 21/03/2011 11.30 GMT
Where: Thuwunna Stadium, Yangoon, Myanmar
TV/Stream: ?
FIFA Rank: 174 (38th in Asia)
Previous Encounters: (0-1-0)
2006 AFC Challenge Cup: 1-1 (F. Attal)
Recent Results:
16/02/2010 v. Tajikstan W (1-2)
18/02/2010 v. Myanmar L (1-2)
20/02/2010 v. Sri Lanka L (0-3)
Challenge Cup Squad: Bangladesh’s senior side hasn’t played an official match under newly appointed Croatian manager Robert Rubcic. Their last games were the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup finals where they shocked 2006 winner Tajikstan in the opening game only to lose their next two games. The Olympic side recently lost to Kuwait over two legs (0-2, 0-3) and that is where the majority of the players will be drawn from. Rubcic has had some sharp criticism for the older players omitted from the squad.
Key Player: It would seem that Bangladesh are in the midst of a rebuilding phase. Many of the experienced players included in the squad haven’t been at their best with their clubs. The inclusion of many U23 players by Rubcic is an attempt to retain some chemistry in the side. Rubcic has admitted that the other sides in the group are much stronger than his and is expected to set his team up to play on the counter. If the team is to stand any chance of qualifying it will need its 23 year-old star and captain Mohammed Ameli to rediscover his form.
