The Maldives are gearing up to face Bangladesh in a highly anticipated match in the ongoing SAFF Championship 2023 on Sunday. The Maldives are expected to come under heavy pressure from Bangladesh at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore, India, as they look to bounce back after losing to Lebanon in their first game in the tournament.
The Red Snappers began their SAFF Championship campaign with a 2-0 win over Bhutan. However, despite the favourable scoreline, concerns were raised about their overall performance during the match. The team showcased occasional moments of individual brilliance but failed to consistently threaten their opponents. Adding to their challenges, Hassan Raif Ahmed received a red card in the final minutes of the game, rendering him unavailable for the upcoming clash against Bangladesh.
On the other hand, Bangladesh faced a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Lebanon in their opening fixture. Despite the loss, the Bengal Tigers did not back down against the highly rated opponents. They displayed resilience and determination, creating chances with the assistance of experienced players such as captain Jamal Bhuyan and Sohel Rana. Undeterred by their initial setback, Bangladesh is expected to put up a strong fight against the Maldives.Head coach Javier Cabrera could make a few changes to his lineup with Aminur Rahman Sajib coming on in place of Sumon Reza as the striker, while Robiul Hasan is vying for a place in midfield.
Looking back at their past encounters, the Maldives and Bangladesh have faced each other 15 times. Remarkably, both teams have emerged victorious in six matches, while only three games have ended in a draw. The history between these teams promises a fierce encounter at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Sunday. Notably, Maldives have dominated recent clashes, winning five out of their last six encounters against Bangladesh, with only one defeat.
The match between the Maldives and Bangladesh is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. on Sunday.