Bangladesh U-23s to return on Tuesday after Bahrain camp

Banglapress Published: 23 September 2025, 10:26 AM

Bangladesh U-23s to return on Tuesday after Bahrain camp

Bangla Press Desk: The Bangladesh under-23 national football team will return home on Tuesday after completing a 12-day training camp in Bahrain, where they also played two preparatory matches against the Bahrain U-23 side on 18 and 22 August. Saiful Bari Titu’s men ended both friendlies on the losing side — 0-1 in the first game and 2-4 in the second, despite taking a two-goal lead. However, results were not the primary objective as the coaching staff focused was on testing all players, assessing team combinations, and building match fitness ahead of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers. Assistant coach Hasan Al Mamun praised the team’s preparations and fighting spirit despite the defeats. “Our target was to see the best possible team combination and give everyone a chance. Team spirit is very good, and we believe the experience and confidence gained here will help us in Vietnam,” he said in a video message released by the Bangladesh Football Federation.

Defender Shakil Ahad Topu echoed similar sentiments. “The second game was much better than the first. We’re learning from mistakes, and the coaching staff are working on them. Everything is going well, and this camp has been very useful,” he remarked. The team had initially planned to play one more practice game against a Bahraini club side on Monday, but as no opposition could be arranged, the team management has decided to divide the squad into two groups for an intra-squad match. Earlier on Sunday, the Bangladesh U-23 National Football Team contingent was cordially invited to a luncheon hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Bahrain. The event was graciously presided over by the Ambassador of Bangladesh Md. Rais Hasan Sarower. After arriving in Dhaka, the squad will train for two more days before flying to Vietnam on 29 August for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers. Bangladesh have been drawn in Group C alongside hosts Vietnam, Singapore and Yemen. The young red-and-green side will open their campaign against Vietnam on 3 September, before facing Yemen on 6 September and Singapore on 9 September.

This is the first time the Bangladesh U-23s have been given an overseas training camp before Asian Cup qualification. The Bangladesh Football Federation hopes the experience will mirror the success of the women’s teams, who have both reached the main rounds of their respective Asian Cups. The 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup will be staged in Saudi Arabia, with 16 teams competing. Hosts Saudi Arabia will be joined by 11 group winners and the four best runners-up from the qualifiers. This article was originally published on Daily Sun.

[Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]