Bangladesh have secured a late opportunity to compete in the FIFA ASEAN Cup Division 1 in Indonesia after FIFA approved their participation as replacements for India.
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) confirmed the decision at its executive committee meeting after receiving the necessary approval from FIFA. The tournament, funded by FIFA, is scheduled to take place in Indonesia from 24 September to 4 October.
Bangladesh had expressed interest in taking India’s place after the neighbouring country withdrew from the competition. The final decision, however, depended on formal approval from FIFA, which has now been granted.
The eight-team tournament will be divided into two groups. Bangladesh have been placed in Group A alongside hosts Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The competition offers Bangladesh a valuable opportunity to gain international match experience against established teams from the region.
Each team is guaranteed four matches. In addition to their three group-stage fixtures, the final position of each side in its group will determine a further classification match. The two group winners will meet in the final, while the runners-up will contest the third-place match. Teams finishing third will play for fifth place, and the fourth-placed sides will meet in the seventh-place play-off.
For Bangladesh, the additional fixtures could prove particularly useful as the national side prepares for the SAFF Championship in November. Competitive matches against Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore will provide the coaching staff with an opportunity to assess the squad and work on tactical and competitive aspects of the team ahead of the regional championship.
The financial implications for the BFF are also relatively favourable. The tournament organisers will cover the participating teams’ travel and accommodation costs, while the teams will also receive financial support for taking part. That arrangement means Bangladesh can accept the invitation without facing the level of expenditure normally associated with an overseas international tournament.
India’s withdrawal was linked to their international schedule. They were due to face Brazil in a friendly in Kolkata on 3 October and subsequently pulled out of the ASEAN Cup with that fixture in mind. Bangladesh then stepped forward to fill the vacant position.
The tournament has also influenced the country’s domestic football calendar. Bangladesh’s national team are scheduled to begin preparations for the ASEAN Cup on 27 August. The national team’s camp, along with requests from domestic clubs, has contributed to the postponement of the new football season.
The Bangladesh Football League will now begin on 18 September, while the Federation Cup is scheduled to start on 22 September. The BFF has informed the clubs of the revised dates.
The revised calendar will create challenges for domestic clubs because several national-team players are expected to be away with the national squad during the ASEAN Cup. Clubs will therefore have to manage their league preparations and competitive commitments without some of their key players.
The player registration deadline has also been extended to 3 September. This means clubs will have to complete their squad-building process before the national team’s international preparations reach their most intensive stage.
Licensing remains another issue for some clubs. Bashundhara Kings and Fakirerpool Young Men’s have yet to complete the licensing process because of FIFA sanctions. They have been given until 28 August to settle outstanding payments and complete the necessary requirements. Bashundhara Kings currently have five FIFA sanctions against the club.
Fortis FC’s international commitments are expected to add another complication to the domestic schedule. The club will travel to Kuwait for the AFC Challenge League group stage, which is scheduled to take place from 17 to 23 October.
Bangladesh have traditionally adjusted the domestic football calendar when a local club competes in an AFC tournament. This time, however, the plan is to continue the domestic league during Fortis FC’s continental campaign. As a result, any league fixture postponed because of Fortis’ AFC commitments may have to be rearranged at a later date.
With the national team’s ASEAN Cup campaign, the domestic league, the Federation Cup and Fortis FC’s continental fixtures all occupying the same period, the BFF faces a demanding scheduling task. For Bangladesh, however, the opportunity to play four international matches in Indonesia comes at an important time, particularly with the SAFF Championship approaching in November.
