CBF inspects National Stadium; could open door for Brazil-Bangladesh match

A five-member delegation from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) on Sunday inspected the National Stadium in Dhaka to assess whether the venue could be used as a neutral venue or for a match against Bangladesh, according to a Bangladesh Football Federation official.

The delegation, led by Sergio Dimas de Oliveira, general supervisor of the men’s national team, spent nearly 45 minutes inside the National Stadium, inspecting the newly laid greenish pitch, dressing rooms, galleries and other facilities.

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They came straight to the National Stadium after landing in Dhaka at 1:00pm from Kolkata, where they had also inspected the Salt Lake Stadium ahead of Brazil’s October 3 friendly fixture against India.

“What they told us is that they can use our stadium as a neutral venue or can play against Bangladesh in future,” BFF executive committee member Iqbal Hossain told reporters after the visit on Sunday.

What they told us is that they can use our stadium as a neutral venue or can play against Bangladesh in future.

BFF executive committee member Iqbal Hossain

“We told them that the preparation of the ground is going on and it may take another two weeks to complete the works,” Iqbal said. “They also talked to the groundsmen and told me that they may visit again if needed.”

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The former footballer also said the delegation inspected how the ground is watered and what the sewerage system is like before visiting the dressing rooms and galleries.

Asked whether Brazil could visit Bangladesh for a training session before the Brazil-India tie, Iqbal said there had been no such discussion during the visit.

He added that he could update the media after meeting BFF president Tabith Awal later in the day.