An unusual incident unfolded today in the SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship in Dhaka.
The Bangladesh vs Bhutan match, which kicked off at 3 PM, saw its first half played at the Bashundhara Kings Arena. But the second half? It had to be shifted to the adjacent practice ground—a rare, if not unprecedented, decision in international football.
At halftime, Bangladesh led 1-0. But soon after, a sudden downpour rendered the main pitch unplayable. Despite over an hour of effort by the ground staff, the field remained waterlogged and unsafe.
After consulting both teams, officials decided to continue the match on the nearby artificial turf at 6:45 PM. Though just next to the stadium, this practice pitch—used previously by top teams like Australia—is made of turf that doesn’t retain water, making it a safer alternative.
This strange switch highlights a pressing issue: the main pitch at Kings Arena struggles with drainage during the monsoon. The muddy surface poses a serious injury risk to players, especially in a youth tournament where careers are just beginning.
While playing an international fixture across two separate venues may raise eyebrows, prioritising player safety was clearly the right call under the circumstances.