The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh national football team will start their Merdeka Cup Football campaign taking on strong Mozambique today (Thursday) at 6:45 pm(Bangladesh Time) at the Shah Alam Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.

Bangladesh has been placed in strong Group B with Mozambique, Myanmar, Vietnam, while Group A comprises of Sierra Leone, Nepal, Afghanistan and hosts Malaysia.

Led by veteran medio Motiur Munna, Bangladesh will play Myanmar on Oct 18 at 6:45 pm (BST) and Vietnam on Oct 20 at 4:40 pm (BST) in their remaining group match at the same venue.

Earlier, Bangladesh team reached the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur Tuesday morning to participate in the Merdeka Cup Football Tournament slated for October 15-25.

Bangladesh team, which staying at Hotel Grand Blue Wave Shah Alam, practised at the game venue Tuesday afternoon.

Bangladesh Manager Badal Roy and coach Shafiqul Islam Manik watched the practice session of Mozambique Under-23 team today (Wednesday) morning.

All the players of Bangladesh are fully fit, according to a message received here by Bangladesh Football Federation.

In the last year's Merdeka Cup, Bangladesh lost all their three matches against Singapore, Indonesia and Zimbabwe.

The game began today (Wednesday) with hosts Malaysia taking on Nepal in the opening match at MBPJ Stadium in Kula Lumpur.

Bangladesh team comprises of 20 booters and seven officials.

Bangladesh Team - Aminul, Biplob, Hasan Al Mamun, Rajani, Sujon (vice-captain), Shuvro, Wali Faisal, Nazrul, Ariful, Saikat, Arman Aziz, Prantosh, Sharif, Motiur Munna (captain), Abul, Mamun, Zahid, Emily, Robin and Enamul.

Officials - Badal Roy, Shawkat Ali Khan Jahangir, Mokbul Hossain, Shafiqul Islam Manik (coach), Golam Rabbani Chhotan (assistant coach), Dr Mahfuzullah Chisty (physio) and Mohammad Mohsin (coaching staff).