Bangladesh will face Asia’s emerging football giants Jordan in their fourth World Cup Qualifiers match in Dhaka today hoping to improve their show after the recent 0-5 mauling by reigning Asian Asian champions Australia. The match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium will kickoff at 5:00pm and Channel 9 will telecast the match live. Unlike the Australia game, Bangladesh will go into the match with some confidence at least show as they have the home advantage that can put any side in trouble.
Bangladesh will also take inspiration from their previous home match against Tajikistan which they led 86 minutes before being held for 1-1 draw.
Bangladesh coach Lodewijk de Kruif is set to return to dugout after serving a two-match ban by FIFA, which can be another motivation for the hosts.
‘I’m really very happy that my players are very enthusiastic,’ Kruif said ahead of the match Monday.
‘Of course I also believe a good result will come as anything is possible in football.
‘Let’s see what happens tomorrow [today].’
Kruif believed Jordan, whom they are facing from the first time, will also offer the similar challenge that they faced against Australia.
‘After Australia, who are ranked 61, we will face number 91 [Jordan] in FIFA Ranking. I expect the same story tomorrow,’ said the coach.
‘Jordan came here with a bunch of good players. Facing them tomorrow [today] is a very tough task.’
Kruif hinted their initial target will be to make the defense compact before looking for their chances from counter attacks.
‘If there is any opportunity we will attack. But first of all we must make sure that our defense organisation is on the line,’ said the coach.
Bangladesh captain Mamunul Islam claimed they worked hard over last three days to rectify their mistakes that they made against Australia.
‘We had hard training in the last three days after returning from Australia. We had no rest. We are eager to do something good on home ground,’ said the skipper.
‘Our opponents are very strong team but we are ready for doing something good tomorrow [today].’
Mamunul also pleaded the fans to support them from the gallery today.
‘Supporters are very important. If they encourage us then we will present a good match for them. If the ground is fine and we can give hundred percent, they can always expect a good result from us,’ said Mamunul.
Jordan’s Belgian coach Paul Put said they are not taking Bangladesh lightly.
‘We know it will be a tough game because we were here after a long 18-hour travel and had little time adapt with different condition,’ said Put.
‘We are going to face a team who were very motivated to play well with their own crowd and we are very cautious about it,’ he added.
Put refused to take the difference in ranking in mind saying that,
‘Ranking doesn’t mean everything in football. Away game is always difficult and Bangladesh are very motivated after facing Australia.’
-With New Age input
