Bangladesh face India in football semifinal today
Friday, 5 February 2010
Bangladesh booters will focus not to slip again against India in the first semifinal of the last four stage of the South Asian Games football at the Banganbandhu National Stadium at 5:30 pm today (Friday), reports BSS.
The second semifinal will feature the surprise package between Afghanistan and spirited Maldives at 8:30 pm at the same venue.
Bangladesh have a sad memory when they lost to India in the semifinal of the SAFF Championship in December last (2009) and the depressing result still haunts the mind of the footballers. 'It is not a nightmare rather it gives us determination that we have to win at any cost' said Bangladesh skipper Aminul.
Aminul, Enamul and Emily, the experienced trio of Bangladesh enjoyed a break in the last group match on Wednesday and will be retuning to action tomorrow. Aminul was in a cautious mood while revealing the aspirations. 'We wanted to go match by match and our first target was to reach the final, we are now close to our destination we don't want to go back from here' said the long serving Bangladesh skipper.
Aminul so far found his team in the right frame of mind. 'So far all the things turned in the right way but the most crucial time has arrived and we have to prove ourselves now, it is a do or die situation for us,' said Aminul.
Coach Zoran Djordevic is likely to field the same eleven of Aminul, Waly Faisal, Nasir, Mintu Sheikh, Rezaul Karim, Mamunul, Mishu, Shakil, Yusuf, Emily and Enamul in the starting line up.
Meanwhile India who emerged as the group runners up behind Afghanistan at Chittagong will be looking to find the right rhythm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. The venue will be relatively unfamiliar to the Indian team. However skipper Jeje Lalpeklhula a member of the Indian U-23 side that won the SAFF Championship in December at the same venue was not counting the past.
'We are not worried about the conditions and the opponents rather we are focused about our own abilities, we are looking forward to putting our best and move to the final. Bangladesh will be a tough opponent but we are ready,' said Indian captain.
Indian team will be looking into the bag of experience of their coach Sukhwinder Singh who guided the U-23 team to the title of SAFF Championship.
The second semifinal will feature the surprise package between Afghanistan and spirited Maldives at 8:30 pm at the same venue.
Bangladesh have a sad memory when they lost to India in the semifinal of the SAFF Championship in December last (2009) and the depressing result still haunts the mind of the footballers. 'It is not a nightmare rather it gives us determination that we have to win at any cost' said Bangladesh skipper Aminul.
Aminul, Enamul and Emily, the experienced trio of Bangladesh enjoyed a break in the last group match on Wednesday and will be retuning to action tomorrow. Aminul was in a cautious mood while revealing the aspirations. 'We wanted to go match by match and our first target was to reach the final, we are now close to our destination we don't want to go back from here' said the long serving Bangladesh skipper.
Aminul so far found his team in the right frame of mind. 'So far all the things turned in the right way but the most crucial time has arrived and we have to prove ourselves now, it is a do or die situation for us,' said Aminul.
Coach Zoran Djordevic is likely to field the same eleven of Aminul, Waly Faisal, Nasir, Mintu Sheikh, Rezaul Karim, Mamunul, Mishu, Shakil, Yusuf, Emily and Enamul in the starting line up.
Meanwhile India who emerged as the group runners up behind Afghanistan at Chittagong will be looking to find the right rhythm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. The venue will be relatively unfamiliar to the Indian team. However skipper Jeje Lalpeklhula a member of the Indian U-23 side that won the SAFF Championship in December at the same venue was not counting the past.
'We are not worried about the conditions and the opponents rather we are focused about our own abilities, we are looking forward to putting our best and move to the final. Bangladesh will be a tough opponent but we are ready,' said Indian captain.
Indian team will be looking into the bag of experience of their coach Sukhwinder Singh who guided the U-23 team to the title of SAFF Championship.