Brazil delegation scouts National Stadium as neutral venue, raises prospects of Bangladesh match
A five-member delegation from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) visited the National Stadium in Dhaka on Sunday to assess whether the venue could be used to host future matches involving Brazil, against Bangladesh or any other nation.
Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) grounds committee chairman Iqbal Hossain told reporters the delegation appeared satisfied with the stadium but had not yet given any firm decision.
"They [the delegation] said our ground could be used as a neutral venue for matches against other countries, and that they could play against Bangladesh here too," Iqbal said. "They will share their response later. Today they only came to see the ground and the stadium's condition."
Brazil are scheduled to play a friendly against India in Kolkata on October 3. Asked whether Brazil might train in Dhaka before that match, Iqbal said no such discussion had taken place.
"They only told us they came to see the ground, to see the stadium's condition."
During the visit, the Brazilian delegation, led by national men’s team’s general supervisor Sergio Dimas de Oliveira, examined the drainage system, watering methods and condition of the grass in detail, and spoke with ground staff before touring the dressing rooms, gallery and media box.
"They went round the whole ground checking the drainage system, how the watering is done, looking at the grass," Iqbal said. "They also called over the people working on the ground to ask what the next steps were."
The delegation, who arrived from India and were due to fly back the same night, were told the remaining ground work would be completed within two weeks.
Iqbal said the Brazilians could return for a further inspection once that work is done.
He added that clarity on Brazil's plans would likely follow a meeting later in the day between the visiting delegation and BFF president Tabith Awal.
The National Stadium has hosted Argentina once, during a friendly against Nigeria in 2011.