Saintfiet to arrive today

Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet is scheduled to arrive here this morning to take charge of the national football team ahead of the Asian Cup Qualifying play-offs against Bhutan in September and October.

Saintfiet, who is yet to sign the short-term deal on offer with the Bangladesh Football Federation, is expected to conduct the second-phase of the national football team's training from August 21.

Bangladesh will take on Bhutan on September 6 in Dhaka before travelling to Thimpu to play the away leg on October 9.

Saintfiet left Dhaka for Belgium for two weeks on July 31 to attend to his pregnant wife after watching the first 18 matches of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League and he is expected to declare his preliminary squad for the September 6 match after watching six matches of the sixth round of the ongoing professional football league.

The game's governing body is expected to strike deals with both Saintfiet and technical and strategic director Paul Smalley a few days after the arrival of Saintfiet.