Bangladesh’s Bhutan test in SAFF Championship tomorrow

Sports Reporter :
Motivated Bangladesh Football team will take on Bhutan Football team in their last Group-B match of the SAFF Championship at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangaluru, India tomorrow. The match will start at 8.00pm (Bangladesh Standard Time). Private satellite sports channel T Sports will telecast the match live.
Earlier, Bangladesh lost to their stronger opponents Lebanon by two goals to nil in their first Group-B match at the same venue on June 22. Bangladesh restricted favourites Lebanon in the first half of the match. But later, Bangladesh conceded two goals to Lebanon due to the mistakes of their defenders.
However, Bangladesh bounced back after came from behind and earned a 3-1 goals victory against their other stronger opponents of Group-B Maldives on Sunday last.
If Bangladesh win against Bhutan in tomorrow’s match, Bangladesh have a bright chance to reach the semi-final. If Lebanon defeat Maldives in tomorrow’s match, Bangladesh will enter the ‘Last Four’. On the other hand, if Maldives beat Lebanon, the participating teams for the semi-finals will be decided by virtue of better goal difference. In that case, Bangladesh and Lebanon have better chance to qualify for the semis. Bhutan have no opportunity to enter the semi-finals.
After the victory against Maldives, Head Coach of Bangladesh Javier Cabrera said, ” After conceding the first goal, it was a tough task for us to bounce back. But my boys performed extremely well. It’s a great achievement. We had to win the match and my boys did it.”
He said, ” We have not confirm our semis berth yet. Bhutan played spectacular football against Maldives. Though they tasted a 0-2 goals defeat. Bhtan are also strong team. We have another final and it is against Bhutan. If we can beat Bhutan, I hope we shall reach the semis.”
It may be mentioned that Bangladesh could clinch the SAFF Championship title for just one time. They defeated Maldives in the final in the year of 2003. After 20 years, Bangladesh beat Maldives in SAFF Championship.
Assistant Coach of Bangladesh Hasan Al Mamun was the player of Bangladesh, which beat Maldives in 2003.
Hasan Al Mamun said, ” I got taste to beat Maldives as a player and a coach. This time we beat Maldives in a neutral venue. On the other hand, in 2003 we defeated Maldives at our home venue. We beat Maldives in 2003 in front of ten of thousands spectators.”
Bangladesh took part in their practice session on Monday at Bengaluru. Defender Tariq Kazi could not take part in the practice session due to injury.
Hasan Al Mamun said, ” The fate of Tariq Kazi will be decided after getting his X-ray report.”