ZCZC
BSP-15
FOOTBALL-SAFF-NASIR
Bangladesh team committed to play good football in field: Nasir
DHAKA, Sept 3, 2018 (BSS)- Bangladesh defender Nasir Hossain Chowdhury said they want to prove their team’s capability against Bhutan not by word rather by playing good football in the field.
He also said his side is only concentrating with the SAFF tournament and unwilling to take their opening match against Bhutan a ‘revenge match’, following 3-1 defeat to Bhutan in the final round of the Asian Cup Qualifier held in 2016 in Bhutan.
Bangladesh will start their SAFF championship campaign when they face Bhutan tomorrow at Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city.
He was speaking at a pre match press conference held Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) conference room this afternoon.
A part from defending champions India, all the coaches and captains of the remaining six participating teams present in the press conference.
“The first match is very important as a good start will give us an advantage. We want to prove our worth not by word rather by playing good football against Bhutan.”
Inspired by the team’s satisfactory performance in the Asian Games, Nasir said if they able to give their best from their respective position, then a good result can be achieved from this tournament.
“We have down hard work and played some practice matches in home and abroad….. we also had practice match in Sri Lanka … we had a good training camp in Qatar ……..we are committed to do our best in the tournament,” said the dependable defender.
Team’s head coach James Day also found optimistic with his team’s good performance in the SAFF Championship. He said though Bangladesh lost the friendly match against Sri Lanka but his boys’ showed dominated football that raised his confidence level ahead of the tournament.
Inspired by the team’s performance in the Asian Games the coach said it was a big boost for his side to perform well in the tournament. He expressed his optimism of getting a good result in the tournament.
On the other hand, Bhutan head coach Traver Morgan said they had good preparation for the tournament and it’s the good opportunity for his side to show the best in the championship.
He also expressed his hope that his team would go to the semifinal by playing good football. Commenting about Bangladesh, he said Bangladesh is one of the favorite teams of the tournament and they would get the home advantage.
Nepal National Team skipper Biraj Maharjan committed that his team would work harder to bring good results from the tournament.
He said their preparation is very good and everything is going well so far and have been practicing for the tournament from the last three months. He is also confident about his team’s good performance in the tournament.
Pakistan head coach Joseph Anthony said though they are not well prepared for the tournament as there are no football activities in the last three years in Pakistan but they want to show their good performance in the tournament.
He said it’s time to recover for his side to which they lost and they have come here to play good football against Nepal and Bangladesh.
The Maldives head coach Segan termed his side a balance one with a combination of senior and young players who have ability to show their worth in the tournament. Replying to a question he said, “It’s difficult to say right now who is favorite in the tournament … we have come here to play good football … let’s see what happen in the next ten days.”
Sri Lanka head coach Pakir Ali said win in the friendly preparation match against Bangladesh will boost and motivate to his side. He said they would try to win each match of the tournament and try to go to the semi-final.
Sri Lanka skipper Subash Madhusan said their team is well prepared and physically fit having some young stars. He also hoped to do something good in the tournament.
BSS/ASG/SG/AU/19:15 hrs