DHAKA, Nov 11, 2024 (BSS)- Maldives national football team arrived here this (Monday) morning to play two FIFA friendly matches against host Bangladesh. 

After arriving in Dhaka, the touring side also held their first training session at APBN ground in the capital, informed Bangladesh Football Federation's media executive officer Khalid Mahmud to BSS.
The two matches will be held on November 13 and 16 respectively at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in the capital.

The matches, which are going to take place during the FIFA window, are important for both sides as they will get a chance to improve their ranking.

Meanwhile, the men in red and green started their camp under head coach Javier Cabrera on November 1.

The players joined the camp in two phases. The first batch joined on November 1 while Bashundhara Kings booters, who were playing AFC Challenge League 2024-25 in Bhutan, joined on November 5.

Bangladesh played their last match against Maldives in October last year in the first round of World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Bangladesh drew the first of the two home and away matches 1-1 held in Male. The red-green jersey holders got their ticket to the second round by winning their home match by 2-1 goals.

The Javier Cabrera's men must be hoping to win the last two matches of the year. For a few years, Maldives became a fearsome name for Bangladesh but now the scenario has changed and the fear of Bangladeshi footballers has gone after beating Maldives in SAFF Championship and World Cup qualifiers. 

Bangladesh football team is fully prepared to compete against Maldives for the two home matches.