Memories of the 2003 SAFF Championship semi-final kept reverberating in the Bangladesh camp ahead today’s crucial match against India today, which will determine the former’s fate in the regional football fiesta. On their way to a historic triumph at home a decade ago, Bangladesh defeated India in the last four before getting the better of Maldives in the final on spot-kicks.
To date it remains Bangladesh’s only win over India in eight meetings at SAFF Championship tournaments. Six-time SAFF champions India have won five matches and the other two were drawn.
Bangladesh, who are ranked 158th in the world and 13 places below India, desperately require the three points after going down 2-0 to hosts Nepal in the opening match.
The tough task against India was made all the more difficult after Bangladesh’s ordinary performance against Nepal.
However, there was a ray of hope on Monday as national team coach Lodewijk de Kruif said that injured midfielders Mamunul Islam and Sohel Rana could feature in today’s crucial clash.
‘Sohel Rana is available for the next match. The doctor and the physiotherapist are working with Sohel and Mamunul and we need them, you know that. Hopefully, after the training we will know if they are available,’ De Kruif said during the practice session at the Army Physical Training School at Lagan Khel on Monday.
‘Mamunul’s absence ultimately affects the team. That is the most important thing that we could not bring to this level. But we have to continue and not put it in our heads too much,’ he added.
De Kruif is trying to convince his team that the last group match against Pakistan will be a mere formality if they are unable to acquire any points against India.
‘It’s very important to get three points against India, which keeps us in the tournament. Otherwise the game against Pakistan is of no use.
‘We have to collect points [on Tuesday] and that is our target,’ said De Kruif.
‘You can say after watching their last match against Pakistan, we can have confidence, but at the end of the day, we need three points and that is very simple,’ he added.
Meanwhile, India coach Wim Koevermans, also a Dutchman, warned his players that they face a Bangladeshi side that is expected to mount a serious challenge.
‘Bangladesh watched us play against Pakistan. They may have lost the first game but are not out of the championship yet. Obviously they will come hard. It’s their last chance to stay alive. But we need to focus on ourselves,’ said the Blue Tigers’ coach.
‘We have to play five finals and have won our first one. [Tuesday] is our second final. How we played against Pakistan, there’s a huge scope of improvement. We are confident but not complacent.’
Bangladesh will draw inspiration from the South Asian Federation Games in 1999 in Kathmandu, where they clinched the gold medal despite losing their first match against Maldives 2-0.
The two teams last met in the 2009 SAFF Championship semi-final, where hosts Bangladesh suffered a 1-0 loss.
head to head
Bangladesh v India
Matches played – 27
Bangladesh won – 3
India won – 16
Drawn – 8
In SAFF Championships
Matches played – 8
Bangladesh won – 1
India won – 5
Draw – 2
-With New Age input
