Bahrain Under-23 team will take on Thailand Under-23 team today in Dhaka with an aim to book their place in the semi-finals of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup.
Thailand have already confirmed their place in the last-four and are leading the Group B thanks to their 3-2 win over Singapore in their first match. The win was enough for them to progress after the match between Singapore and Bahrain ended in a stalemate on Sunday.
A point against the Thais will be enough for Bahrain to make it to the last four but if they lose to them by a big margin, then Singapore can also qualify ahead of Bahrain by better goal difference.
If Bahrain also lose to Thailand 3-2, the second semi-finalists will be decided though fair play rule.
Bahrain’s English coach Adrian Richard Whitbread, however, refused to take the field only for a draw.
‘It will be very difficult if we look to defend, so we will go for a win,’ Whitbread said.
Whitbread, who had earlier blasted the Bangladesh Football Federation for chalking out a clumsy fixture of the tournament, appeared to have softened his position.
Speaking about teams playing two matches in three days, Whitbread said: ‘It’s always difficult. We just have to make sure that we don’t use it as an excuse.’
Even though Thailand have already ensured their semi-final spot, Thailand coach Zhoktavee Phomrat isn’t thinking anything but win.
‘It is a very important match for us,’ said Phomrat. ‘We want to beat Bahrain tomorrow [today].’
-With New Age input
