A dose of nostalgia ahead of the SAFF showdown

Bangladesh is set to relive its finest footballing memories as heroes from two historic triumphs prepare to face off in a special exhibition match at the National Stadium on Sunday.

The six-nation SAFF Championship kicks off in Dhaka on 5 November. To build excitement ahead of the tournament, the National Sports Council (NSC) requested a promotional friendly match to bring former stars back to the pitch and boost local support.

Kicking off at 5:00pm on today, the match will see the 2003 SAFF Championship-winning side take on the 2010 South Asian (SA) Games gold medal-winning squad. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has been handed the duty of organising the event and gathering the players.

For fans, it is more than just a friendly; it is a chance to celebrate the country's two most glorious football chapters. Both the 2003 and 2010 titles were famously won at this very venue. Since that 2003 victory, Bangladesh has failed to win the SAFF crown, coming closest in 2005 when they reached the final.

Now, with the national team dreaming of finally ending their drought under head coach Thomas Dooley, the State Minister for Sports has initiated this grand reunion to inject fresh energy into the local game.