Bangladesh to face Vietnam in int'l friendly on Thursday

Bangladesh national football team will take on Vietnam national football team in a FIFA international friendly on Thursday at Hang Day Stadium in Vietnam's Hanoi, with kick-off scheduled for 6:00 PM (BST).

The match serves as preparation for Bangladesh’s upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore on March 31. 

Although Bangladesh are already out of contention, having collected five points in the qualifiers, including a notable win over India, the team is looking to build momentum ahead of the final fixture.

Bangladesh will be strengthened by the inclusion of Hamza Choudhury and Canada-based midfielder Shamit Shome as they prepare for a challenging contest against one of Southeast Asia’s strongest sides.

Head coach Javier Cabrera said the primary goal is to prepare for the Singapore match, adding that facing a strong team like Vietnam will help boost confidence. 

He noted that Hamza Choudhury, who arrived on Tuesday, is adapting to the weather and time difference and his availability will be assessed.

Captain Jamal Bhuyan acknowledged the difficulty of the match but expressed confidence in his team’s improvement and ability to compete.

Vietnam head coach Kim Sang Sik said his team is preparing well and expects contributions from new players, including Hoang Hon. 

He also noted that Bangladesh have improved significantly compared to last year, particularly with the addition of players competing abroad.

Kim added that his team is analysing Hamza Choudhury’s performances to counter his strengths, emphasizing that Vietnam’s goal is to secure a win.

Vietnam captain Do Duy Manh said the team will remain focused and disciplined, aiming for victory despite the match being a friendly, as it also impacts FIFA rankings.

SH