Bangladesh still upbeat about their target of SAFF crown
Friday, 11 December 2009
Bangladesh is upbeat about their target of clinching SAFF crown that will be decided Sunday (Dec 13) at the finale of the South Asian football extravaganza at Bangabandhu National Stadium, reports UNB.
Addressing a semifinal pre-match press conference at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) conference room Thursday, host team manager Satyajit Das Rupu said they have divided the tournament into three stages -- group stage, semifinal, and final -- and they already crossed over the first hurdles as group-B champions.
"Our target now is to beat India in the second semifinal," he told reporters. The semis will be held today (Friday) at 7:30 pm.
Rupu said if his boys be able to give their best in the field, they must win against India.
Team manager Shahidul Islam Shantu said India is a very good side but "our boys will give their best in the match".
Skipper Aminul Haque said they are committed to getting at their target in the tournament and all the boys are fit for the semifinal against India.
"So far, we have played good football in the tournament and just want to continue till the end," said Aminul echoing the note of optimism struck by his coach and manager.
Indian head coach Shukwinder Singh does not think that the host side is favourite for tomorrow's match as everything is equal in this stage of the game.
"But I don't ignore the host advantage in tomorrow's match as they will get extra home-ground support."
He admitted that they had failed to play satisfactory football so far in the tournament but said boys are ready to put in their best in the battle against Bangladesh.
Replying to a question he said they might miss the service of their two key midfielders--Manish Mathani and Jagpreet Singh--in tomorrow's semifinal.
Addressing a semifinal pre-match press conference at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) conference room Thursday, host team manager Satyajit Das Rupu said they have divided the tournament into three stages -- group stage, semifinal, and final -- and they already crossed over the first hurdles as group-B champions.
"Our target now is to beat India in the second semifinal," he told reporters. The semis will be held today (Friday) at 7:30 pm.
Rupu said if his boys be able to give their best in the field, they must win against India.
Team manager Shahidul Islam Shantu said India is a very good side but "our boys will give their best in the match".
Skipper Aminul Haque said they are committed to getting at their target in the tournament and all the boys are fit for the semifinal against India.
"So far, we have played good football in the tournament and just want to continue till the end," said Aminul echoing the note of optimism struck by his coach and manager.
Indian head coach Shukwinder Singh does not think that the host side is favourite for tomorrow's match as everything is equal in this stage of the game.
"But I don't ignore the host advantage in tomorrow's match as they will get extra home-ground support."
He admitted that they had failed to play satisfactory football so far in the tournament but said boys are ready to put in their best in the battle against Bangladesh.
Replying to a question he said they might miss the service of their two key midfielders--Manish Mathani and Jagpreet Singh--in tomorrow's semifinal.