SAFF Suzuki Cup 2018 logo unveiling today

The logo unveiling ceremony and introduction of the sponsors of the seven-nation SAFF Suzuki Cup 2018 International Football Tournament will be held today (Monday) afternoon at the conference room of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) in the city, reports UNB.

The SAFF Suzuki Cup, the biggest soccer festival of the region, will take place in the country's premier sports venue Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka from September 04 to 15 with participation of seven South Asian countries--Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh.

Hosts Bangladesh, which was placed in Group A of the SAFF Suzuki Cup with Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan, will play Bhutan in the 2nd match on the opening day (Tuesday) at 7.00 pm while Pakistan will play Nepal in the opening match at 4.00 pm on the day.

India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives have been put in Group B of the meet.

Pakistan team arrived in the capital Sunday early hour to compete in the seven-nation meet, followed by Bhutan Sunday noon at 12:10 pm and Nepal on Sunday afternoon at 2:40 pm.

The islanders Sri Lanka was the first foreign team reached Bangladesh last Sunday (August 26) from Asian Games in Indonesia to play FIFA Friendly with Bangladesh in Nilphamari last Wednesday and made an inspirational 1-0 victory over the home country ahead of the biggest soccer festival of the region (SAFF Championship).

Holders India will reach Dhaka today (Monday) early hour at 12:50 am while the Maldives team are due to arrive in the capital on Monday (Sept 3) at 1:45 pm.

Meanwhile, hosts Bangladesh team under supervision English coach Jamie Day, made their first practice session at the games venue Bangabandhu National Stadium Sunday morning for one and a half hours with his final squad, which yet to be announced. Bangladesh team, divided in two groups, also played a match in a small ground.

Jamie Day reportedly selected a 20-member final squad of Bangladesh national football team for ensuing SAFF Championship Saturday night after conducting a 12 weeks long training camp and accordingly informed it to the players.

Eight players -Zafor Iqbal, Motin Mia, Rahmat Mia, Abdullah, Anisur Rahman, Majurur Rahman, Mahfuz Hasan Pritom, and Fazle Rabbi-were excluded from the squad while former national skipper Mamunul Islam Mamun, Waly Faisal, Faisal Mahmud, Shahkawat Ronny, Emon Mahmud, Sohel Rana, and Nasiruddin Chowdhury are considered in the team as senior players.

Bangladesh squad: Ashraful Islam Rana, Shahidul Alam Sohel, Topu Barman, Nasiruddin Chowdhury, Bishwanath Ghosh, Tutul Hossain Badsha, Waly Faisal, Susanta Tripura, Masuk Miah Zony, Mamunul Islam Mamun, Emon Mahmud Babu, Faisalo Mahmud, Sohel Rana, Biplu Ahmed, Atiqul Islam Fahad, Jamal Bhuiyan, Shahkawat Hossain Ronny, Mahbubur Rahman Sufil, Saaduddin and Rabiul Hassan.