Motivated Bangladesh face Maldives tomorrow

DHAKA - Motivated Bangladesh are all set to lock horns defending champions Maldives in their third match of the SAFF

Championship scheduled to be held  tomorrow at the National
Football Stadium in Male, the capital of Maldives.

Private satellite channel T-Sports telecast the match live that kicks
off at 10 pm (BST).

Bangladesh has been playing a good brand of football in the competition so far and has won one and drawn one, currently occupying the second place in the table. The ten men Bangladesh were one goal down against India but a 73rd minute strike from Yeasin Arafat helped them snatch a valuable point. The boys in red and green will look to approach this match against Maldives with the same level of confidence.

Head coach Oscar Bruzon must be expecting the same performance from his boys against host Maldives.

Bangladesh are now in a comfortable position and their chance of
reaching the final spot of the tournament will be brightened if they
able to beat the hosts in Thursday's important match.

The men in red and green earlier beat Sri Lanka by 1-0 in the
tournament opening match and played out to a 1-1- goal draw against
favorite India.

Talking to the pressmen at a pre-match press conference today team
skipper Jamal Bhuyan said they are only focusing on his team to get
three points against the Maldives.

“All of us know it’s an important match for Maldives … I don't care
about Maldives, rather I am focusing on my own team. We know it’s a
home match for Maldives … they will get the support from the local
crowds  but my team doesn't care about these things … we are only
thinking of getting something good out of the game …. We are looking
forward for the next game but I don’t care about the Maldives,” Jamal
said when he was asked how much Bangladesh prepared to defend
Maldives.

Replying to a question Jamal said it’s always good to have fans in the
stadium, especially cheering for the team, it’s always a good sign and
their support would definitely motivate the players in the ground.

On the other hand, Maldives will have to prove themselves in their
next crucial match after their first defeat against Nepal. Maldives,
despite dominating the proceeding, denied everytime by the Nepalese
custodian. Manish Dangi, the Nepal forward came in as a super sub in
the game and made all the difference in the 86th minute and added a
comfortable three points in their name.

The defending champions dominated the game with 62 percent possession but the late goal saw them lose three important points. The host will now aim to come fresh in this encounter and grab a much-needed victory.

So, Maldives must have to show something good against Bangladesh
otherwise they will have to face a tough challenge on the way to the  final.

Bangladesh team: Sahidul Alam, Anisur Rahman, Ashraful Islam Rana,
Rahmat Mia, Bishwanath Ghosh,  Topu Barman, Riyadul Hasan, Yeasin Arafat , Razaul Karim  Sohel Rana, Saad Uddin  Biplo Ahmed,  Jamal Bhuyan , Rakib Hossain , Suman Reza,  Tariq Raihan Kazi, Mahbubur Rahman,  Mohammad Ibrahim,  Matin Miah,  Mohammad Atiqur Rahman Fahad, Jewel Rana, Tutul Hosain Badsha and Mohammad Hridoy.BSS