World Cup Qualifiers: Bangladesh, Lebanon lock horns today

Bangladesh National Football will take on Arabian rivals Lebanon in their home match of the four-team Group 'I' of the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualfiers on Tuesday. The match will kick off at 5:45 pm Bangladesh time at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka.

In their opening second round Group 'I' match, Bangladesh conceded 0-7 goals defeat against Australia in Melbourne on November 16. However, Lebanon, in their first appearance in the second round Group 'I' match, played to a goalless draw with Palestine at a neutral venue in the UAE, also on November 16.

Tuesday's match will be the fourth meeting between two teams since 2011, when Lebanon had the upper hand in the previous three meetings, beating Bangladesh twice against one defeat.

In the FIFA World Cup qualification in 2011, Bangladesh conceded a 0-4 goal defeat against Lebanon in their away match in July, while they beat Lebanon by 2-0 goals in their home match on July 28. In the last SAFF Championship in India in June this year, Lebanon played as an invitee team and beat Bangladesh by 2-0 goals.

Two Bangladesh players—forward Rakib Hossain and defender Saaduddin—will miss Tuesday's vital match as both players received second yellow cards in the last match against Australia.