In-form Bangladesh will be looking to book their place in the final of the SAFF U-16 Football Championship for the first time in their history when they take on Afghanistan in the first semi-final in Sylhet today.
Reigning champions India will play Group-B champions Nepal in the second semi-final of the day at the same venue. The first semi-final will kick off at 4:00pm at the Sylhet District Stadium four hours before the second semi-final.
Bangladesh qualified for the semi-finals as Group A champions thanks to their 4-0 and 2-1 wins over Sri Lanka and India respectively.
The Afghans are no strangers to the home side as they played against them in the third-place deciding encounter of the 2013 meet when they managed a narrow 1-0 win.
Afghanistan’s path to the semis, however, was not as rosy as the hosts having managed just 4-2 win over Maldives before a 0-1 loss to Nepal.
Bangladesh coach Syed Golam Jilani said they are confident to win the match.
‘It will be a do-or-die battle for both the sides,’ said Jilani. ‘But we are ready to turn the result in our favour. Our boys are keen to win the match and they are prepared mentally and physically.’
Jilani expressed some concerns over the playing surface which has been damaged by the torrential rain for the last few days.
‘If the rain comes again than it will be difficult for us to play well,’ said the coach.
‘Though they [Afghanistan] are ahead of us physically still I have full confidence in my players, who are playing with their hearts out.’
Afghan coach Hamidullah Masudi said all four teams who reached the semi-finals are capable of winning the title.
‘All the four teams who have qualified for the knock-out stage have the strength to win the title,’ said the coach.
One major concern for Hamidullah is refereeing, which he said is not up to the mark.
‘The last match against Nepal, the refereeing was not good. We expect a fair refereeing this time,’ he said.
-With New Age input
