The tension between the two countries over territorial rights in the Bay of
Bengal yet to be over, Bangladesh and Myanmar get ready to confront in the battlefield of football today.
The two teams will be pitted against each other in the opening match of the 3rd Grand Royal Challenge Cup in Yangon, the former Burmese capital and the largest city ofthecountry.
The match will kick off at the Youth TYaining Centre, also called the Thuwunna Stadium at 3.30 pm local time (3 pm Bangladesh time)
Coached by Brazilian Marcos Antonio Falopa, Myanmar recorded a 1-0 win against their neighbours in the Mcrdcka Cup in Malaysia last month with captain Soe Myat Min scoring the lone goal.
Today's match would be Bangladesh's seventh international against Myanmar, who had won big in the 70s when they were one of the top teams in the continent under their old name Burma.
After 6-0 (1973) and 7-1 (1975) defeats at the Merdeka Cup, Bangladesh finally turned the table on Myanmar on home soil, winning a friendly 3-1 in Dhaka in 1993.
Two years later, late Monem Munna led Bangladesh to defeat Myanmar 2-1 in the final of a four-nation tournament in Yangon despite losing the league match to the hosts 4-0.
The previous edition of the Grand Royal Challenge Cup also saw the two nations meet in the final with the hosts, who had fielded their under-23 squad, winning 2-1 against Diego Cruciani's Dhaka XI.
Bangladesh, who have made three changes from their Merdeka Cup squad, reached Myanmar on Saturday and had a light stretching session in soothing condition.
Shafiqul Islam Manik's side, who will be playing their second group match against Indonesia
national team on Thursday, had full training at the Aung san Stadium yesterday afternoon.
"The players are very tired due to the long journey but 1 tried to cheer them up mentally. We would like to reproduce our performance from the Merdeka Cup and we want to play better and positive football tomorrow.” Bangladesh coach Manik told after the practice session, according to a message received here.
"If we can do that winning is not impossible here. The journey was an obstacle but we have already overcome it. I believe the players will try their heart and soul try for the country," added Manik.
Skipper Mat) ur Munna also promised (ogetthebestouroftheteam.
"The condition of the team is very good now. We are highly motivated and we will be on the field tomorrow to play good and win." the midfielder said.
"Our players will try' their level best to win this tournament. There arc some changes in the team as we
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are concentrating on the young players also due to injury," said Myanmar coach Falopa.
"This time we have introduced many U-21 players and made four changes from the previous squad. We have seen that Bangladesh are growing day by day with good management in football and we enjoyed our match in the Merdeka Cup last month. So it won't be easier for us tomorrow," the Brazilian coach added.
The other group involves Malaysia, Korean club Hyundai and this year's Merdeka Cup champions VietnamU-23s.
The winners will receive USS 15,000 and runners-up USS 7,500 as prize money.
Bangladesh probable 11: Aminul, Ariful, Saikat, Sujan, Rajani, Waly Faisal, Arman Aziz. Sharif/Zahid, Matiur Munna, Emily, Alfaz/ Robin.