Bangladesh’s in-form goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel is keen to continue his superb form under the bar when they take on reigning Asian Cup champions Australia in their third World Cup qualifying match in Perth on Thursday. The Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club keeper missed his country’s first two World Cup qualifying games against Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan due to meniscus injury on his left foot.
But after returning from injury, Sohel performed brilliantly for his club in their two AFC Cup play-off qualifying matches against Kyrgyzstan giants FC Alga and Macau champions Casa Benfica on August 13 and 15 respectively.
In both the matches, the tall keeper made some fine saves to propel Jamal into the AFC Cup play-offs round.
Sohel, then continued his fine form to hold hosts Malaysia with a goalless draw in their FIFA international friendly match in Malaysia on Tuesday.
‘We played really well against Malaysia,’ the shot-stopper told New Age over phone from Perth on Tuesday.
‘I believe that will boost our confidence ahead of the game against Australia.’
‘Everybody admired my performance and I want to continue that form against Australia as well.’
Sohel, however, admitted that Australia will be a much tougher opponent than Malaysia.
‘Australian attacking line-up is much stronger than Malaysia,’ said the keeper.
‘So, not only the keeper but also the whole team including the defenders will have to perform to their optimum to overcome this hurdle.’
Sohel also said the Dutch coach Lodewijk de Kruif is giving importance to their defence. Also they are working on how to utilise the chances that they will obtain from counter-attack.
‘Besides defending well the coach is also planning to attack the Socceroos from counter-attack’, said Sohel.
-With New Age input
