Bangladesh start SAFF campaign today

Coach Maruf and captain Mamun determined to win title

Bangladesh will face an acid test in their opener in the eleventh edition of SAFF Suzuki Championship when they will take on the reigning champions and also one of the top contenders Afghanistan today at the Trivandrum Stadium, Kerala. The match will start at 7pm (BST).
The first match for Bangladesh appeared like an ‘acid test’ because they went to play the SAFF with only 20 days preparation while their opponents in first encounter is Afghanistan, who comprised with 18 European based booters and have been taking preparation under a German coach.
However, Bangladesh also went there with huge commitments to win the title and all the players are very enthusiastic having Maruful Haque as their coach.
Both the players and the coach are very much eager to break the 12 years drought with winning the title. For some of the youngsters it is a big platform to expose them and to prove them as the future stars of Bangladesh and for some of the players, it would be the last SAFF tournament. On the other hands, for the coach Maruful it could be a milestone if he would be success to make Bangladesh champions in his debut as national team coach.
Bangladesh, who won the runners-up trophy in 1999 after being defeated by India by 2-0 in India, tasted the SAFF title in 2003 at home ground after defeating Maldives in the penalty shoot out by 5-3 after the 90 minutes stipulated and 30 minutes was locked in a 1-1.
Bangladesh coach Maruful Haque and the team captain Mamunul Islam when put across their expectation in a press meet before departure for India, said that they were going to India with their only target to win the SAFF title.
Both the coach and the captain at the pre-match press conference in Kerala on Tuesday also reiterated the same opinion that they were eyeing to lift the trophy.
It was something positive attitude of both players and the coach, when they conveyed their confidence on each others, as Maruful said, “I know my boys and about their ability what they can do. I believe if they could play their own game and the players can give their respective best efforts they are capable to beat any opponents.”
“I know about Afghanistan, very strong side, who are comprised with a number of booters who play in the European league and we will face a big hurdle in the opener but I believe it is possible to beat them.” Maruf during the press meet in the country told, “Our goal is to win the championship and I think our target is reachable.”

Bangladesh start SAFF campaign today

Coach Maruf and captain Mamun determined to win title

Bangladesh will face an acid test in their opener in the eleventh edition of SAFF Suzuki Championship when they will take on the reigning champions and also one of the top contenders Afghanistan today at the Trivandrum Stadium, Kerala. The match will start at 7pm (BST). The first match for Bangladesh appeared like an acid test because they went to play the SAFF with only 20 days preparation while their opponents in first encounter is Afghanistan, who comprised with 18 European based booters and have been taking preparation under a German coach. However, Bangladesh also went there with huge commitments to win the title and all the players are very enthusiastic having Maruful Haque as their coach. Both the players and the coach are very much eager to break the 12 years drought with winning the title. For some of the youngsters it is a big platform to expose them and to prove them as the future stars of Bangladesh and for some of the players, it would be the last SAFF tournament. On the other hands, for the coach Maruful it could be a milestone if he would be success to make Bangladesh champions in his debut as national team coach. Bangladesh, who won the runners-up trophy in 1999 after being defeated by India by 2-0 in India, tasted the SAFF title in 2003 at home ground after defeating Maldives in the penalty shoot out by 5-3 after the 90 minutes stipulated and 30 minutes was locked in a 1-1. Bangladesh coach Maruful Haque and the team captain Mamunul Islam when put across their expectation in a press meet before departure for India, said that they were going to India with their only target to win the SAFF title. Both the coach and the captain at the pre-match press conference in Kerala on Tuesday also reiterated the same opinion that they were eyeing to lift the trophy. It was something positive attitude of both players and the coach, when they conveyed their confidence on each others, as Maruful said, I know my boys and about their ability what they can do. I believe if they could play their own game and the players can give their respective best efforts they are capable to beat any opponents. I know about Afghanistan, very strong side, who are comprised with a number of booters who play in the European league and we will face a big hurdle in the opener but I believe it is possible to beat them. Maruf during the press meet in the country told, Our goal is to win the championship and I think our target is reachable.