Markets will be sealed off and "sniffer dogs and bomb disposal units deployed in the stadium" as part of "unprecedented" security measures for Australia's World Cup qualifying match against Bangladesh next week, according to the AFP. The Socceroos have confirmed their tour to Dhaka for the Nov. 17 fixture at the Bangabandhu National Stadium after "a security assessment" by their officials and a representative of FIFA. Two security officials of Football Federation Australia, in Dhaka since Monday, and a FIFA security officer met Bangladesh's home affairs minister and the law enforcement agencies "before giving the match the go-ahead." Dhaka Deputy Police Chief Maruf Hasan said, "The security for the match will be at unprecedented level -- much higher than any other international matches ever held in Bangladesh." Hasan said that "all the markets and business outlets at the stadium and in the surrounding area will remain shut" for two days before the match. He said, "We will seal off the shops for two days after a thorough security check. The movement of all vehicles around the stadium will be suspended. Our dog squad and bomb disposal unit will sweep the ground before the match" (AFP, 11/15).
SUTHERLAND DEFENDS DECISION: REUTERS' Nick Mulvenney reported Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland defended the "postponement of a test tour of Bangladesh" in the wake of the decision by the country's football team to play a World Cup qualifier in the South Asian nation this week. Sutherland called off the two-test tour last month because of "fears it could expose their cricketers to potential militant attacks" in the country. He said, "I firmly believe that we had no choice, absolutely no choice. When it comes up again -- if it does -- we'll go through the same process. It is a matter of circumstances on the day and at the time" (REUTERS, 11/14).
