Today, football lovers in Bangladesh will keep a close eye on the “Sea City” Malé as Bangladesh faces the Maldives in the pre-qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The head coach of Bangladesh, Jamie Day, has described this match as the “most important match of the year” for his team.
In the history of football between Bangladesh and the Maldives, playing away games has always been challenging, and today’s match is no exception. The Maldives will play two matches based in the Maldives in this pre-qualifier round for the 2026 World Cup. The first match is today, and the second will be on October 17th in Dhaka. Playing on the opponent’s turf is always tough, but Bangladesh is hoping for a victory today.
The Maldives, as an opponent, has a unique history in the context of Bangladesh. At one point, they were formidable opponents for Bangladesh. In the 1985 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Games held in Dhaka, Bangladesh defeated the Maldives with a resounding 8-0 victory. Before that, Bangladesh had also defeated the Maldives by a significant margin. However, over time, the Maldives has become a strong competitor, at least in the context of Bangladesh. The Maldives has never won in Bangladesh, except for a draw in 2000. Today’s match is, therefore, a significant test for Bangladesh in the pre-qualifiers of the World Cup, and it will be interesting to see how this historic match unfolds.
Historic Victories
In 1984, during the SAFF Games in Kathmandu, Nepal, Bangladesh defeated the Maldives 5-0 in their first encounter. It was the first face-off between the two teams, and the following year, the tables turned. In 1985, during the second SAFF Games held in Dhaka, Bangladesh defeated the Maldives with a remarkable 8-0 score. This match remains Bangladesh’s most significant victory in international football. Sheikh Mohammad Aslam, Kaysar Hamid, and Wasim Iqbal scored two goals each in that match, while Elias Hossain and Mamun Babu added one each.
Kaysar Hamid’s Penalty Miss
After the 1985 SAFF Games, Bangladesh did not play any matches against the Maldives for 8 years. However, during this time, the top clubs of the two countries regularly faced each other in Asian club competitions. The top Maldivian clubs like Valencia, New Radiant, and Club Eagles have never been able to defeat Bangladeshi clubs, especially Mohammedan, on Bangladeshi soil. In 1985, Abahani defeated Valencia 8-2 in the Asian Club Cup held in Colombo.
In 1990, Mohammedan defeated the Maldivian club Club Eagles 5-0 in Dhaka. In 1993, Mohammedan defeated Valencia 8-0 in Dhaka. The Maldives has consistently faced defeat in Bangladesh. In the 1993 SAFF Games in Dhaka, the match against the Maldives was a significant challenge for Bangladesh. The match ended in a goalless draw. Kaysar Hamid missed a penalty during that match, despite being well-known as a penalty specialist in Bangladesh. This penalty miss generated significant discussion and debate, given Kaysar’s reputation as a penalty expert and former captain of the national team.
The First Loss, and Then Success
At one point, Bangladesh’s football had suffered a significant drought in terms of winning gold medals in the South Asian Games. Between 1984 and 1995, Bangladesh reached the football finals four times in the South Asian Games but couldn’t secure a gold medal. However, in 1999, during the South Asian Games held in Kathmandu, Nepal, Bangladesh defeated the Maldives in the final, winning the gold medal in football.
Bangladesh was in the same group as the Maldives and Sri Lanka in the group stage of the 1999 South Asian Games. After losing to Nepal in their first match, Bangladesh managed to win the second match against the Maldives with a 1-0 score. Arif Khan scored the winning goal in the dying minutes of the match, a moment that etched itself into Bangladeshi football history.
Historic Tiebreaker
In the 2003 SAFF Championship, Bangladesh emerged as champions. In the group stage held on their home ground, Bangladesh faced the Maldives and defeated them 1-0. The goal came late in the match through Aminul Haque in the 89th minute. Bangladesh had to wait for 18 years, and they faced the Maldives in the final of the 2021 SAFF Championship. Despite losing the first leg 2-1, Bangladesh managed to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory against the Maldives in the second leg. The overall score was tied, but Bangladesh won on the away goals rule, marking a historic victory.
The Victory’s Sweetness
The 2003 victory was particularly sweet for Bangladesh as it marked the end of an 18-year wait for victory against the Maldives. The first leg of the final ended in a 2-1 defeat for Bangladesh, leading to apprehensions about the outcome. However, Bangladesh turned the tide in the second leg, impressing the spectators in the gallery. While many held their breath in suspense, the match seemed to be slipping away from Bangladesh. However, Arif Khan’s last-minute goal managed to restore the balance. Before the end of the match, Aminul Haque made a brave move in the penalty shootout, which eventually led to a tiebreaker.
Historical Tiebreaker
In the 2003 SAFF Championship, Bangladesh emerged as champions. In the group stage held on their home ground, Bangladesh faced the Maldives and defeated them 1-0. The goal came late in the match through Aminul Haque in the 89th minute. Bangladesh had to wait for 18 years, and they faced the Maldives in the final of the 2021 SAFF Championship. Despite losing the first leg 2-1, Bangladesh managed to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory against the Maldives in the second leg. The overall score was tied, but Bangladesh won on the away goals rule, marking a historic victory.
The Sweetness of Victory
The 2003 victory was particularly sweet for Bangladesh as it marked
