Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) XI face Myanmar U-23 in the final of the Grand Royal Challenge Football (GRCF) tournament at National Youth Centre in Yangon today (Wednesday), reports BDNEWS. The unbeaten Myanmar U-23, under the supervision of Bulgarian coach, reached the final in the four-nation meet as group champions with two victory and a draw while Bangladesh confirmed their final berth as runners-up with two victory and a lose. The Bangladesh-Myanmar final, which kicks off at 3-30 pm Bangladesh time Wednesday, will recall the memory of the final between the two national teams in 1995 that went the visitors' way. Led by late Monem Munna, Bangladesh beat the hosts 2-1 to lift the first-ever international football trophy for the nation after losing in the league match in 1995. Bangladesh, under the supervision of Argentine coach Diego Andres Cruciani, began an impressive start beating China U-23 by 3-1, but they stumbled in the second match losing to Myanmar by 1-2 goals. Bangladesh could not display their expected performance against the hosts as they well-marked skipper Arif Khan Joy, play-maker Arman Mian and medio Matiur Munna, said team leader Ashrafuddin Ahmed Chunnu from Yangon Tuesday. "But the boys are now committed to recover their lapses and firm to beat the hosts," he said. "The full-strength Bangladesh team will be fielded today." Cruciani will certainly keep the hope on striker Ariful Kabir Farhad, who maintained his hundred per cent scoring record with four goals in three matches, in the final to lift the trophy. But he missed the service of playmaker Arman Miah, who was suspended for the final for receiving two yellow cards in successive matches. On the other hand, Myanmar captain Soe Myat Min has raised the uncertainty to play the final as the captain has been suffering from an ankle injury. Bangladesh, preparing for the Asian Cup pre-qualifiers against Pakistan and the SAFF Championship in Pakistan in December under Argentine coach Diego Cruciani, will certainly field a strong eleven with the inclusion of experience players. Cruciani Monday fielded seven young booters against India and later brought the change of fielding Farhad, Joy and Alfaz and left the field with a victory.
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