Shahin Sports

Bangladesh Football Federation made a press release today stating that if Afghanistan Football Federation does not agree to play their away game against Bangladesh in Sylhet District Stadium in Sylhet. Which is a north eastern city of Bangladesh. They should forfeit the 3 points. They have blamed Afghanistan football federation for putting wrongful pressure on AFC in order to change the venue of the game from Slyhet, Bangladesh to a neutral venue. AFC was suppose make a decision on this matter but the decision has been delay till near future.

Bangladesh have chosen this city not because it is their best venue but rather strategically. Bangladesh always plays their home games in their capital city Dhaka. Choosing Slyhet will mean an additional 6 hours travel for Afghanistan National Team. That is if there is no lay overs between the flight from Dhaka to Slyhet. In a time when the whole world is battling Covid and sports organizations are trying to reduce travel time for the safety of their players, this decision from Bangladesh Football Federation is not fully thought through.

Bangladesh federation knows that Afghan players come from across the world and by the time they get to Slyhet they will be really tired. This can mean an advantage for the underdogs Bangladesh.

The second important factor is familiarity with the pitch and conditions. Sylhet District Stadium, Sylhet is a very poor playing field. It does not offer a good surface for an international football game.

Afghanistan Football Federation had agreed to play there and they were not worried about the travel time or the pitch conditions. This game is a crucial game for Afghanistan and getting three points would put them ahead of India in the standings. But with Covid-19 in the picture Afghanistan Football Federation does not want to put the their players health at risk. If a player were to fall sick in Slyhet, getting them back to a country where they can receive properly medical treatment would be very challenging and potentially life treating.

Taking into consideration what the sports world is coping with in terms of Covid playing this game in a neutral country is a best move for both countries. Other nations in Asia have chosen the same path.