Bangladesh were expecting to make a giant leap in securing the title of SAFF Under-18 Championship when they would face on Nepal in their penultimate match in Thimpu, Bhutan today.
If Bangladesh can win the match, which will kick-off at 7:00pm Bangladesh Standard Time, they will require just one point from their final match against hosts Bhutan on September 27 to clinch the title in the round-robin league tournament.
Bangladesh are leading the points table with six points from two matches following their two consecutive victories over India and the Maldives, while hosts Bhutan are in second position with equal earnings but played one match more.
Bangladesh showed a remarkable turnaround to beat India 4-3 in their opening match before registering a 2-0 win over Maldives in the second one.
Earlier in 2015, Bangladesh lost to Nepal 1-2 in the group stage of the inaugural SAFF Under-19 Championship with the latter becoming champions on home soil.
Bangladesh head coach Mahbub Hossain Roxy appeared very optimistic about defeating Nepal this time around.
After watching Nepal’s last match against the Maldives, where Nepal managed a 2-0 win, Roxy said his charges got a bright chance of winning game if they could play according to their potential.
‘We have watched the match between the Maldives and Nepal and it is very much possible to beat Nepal, if we can deliver 70 per cent of our ability,’ said Roxy.
‘Nepal are an attacking side as their attacking duo are equally good.
‘But they [Nepal] are not so well in defending and our main strength is our striking force and we have to capitialise on the chances, especially from the set-pieces.’
Roxy added that he also worked hard with his defensive line-up for the last few days.
‘We have to make our defence intact and we will try not to give Nepal any room in the attacking zone,’ said Roxy.
‘The boys are confident and they believe that they can beat Nepal.
‘Nepal match is the final for us. If we can overcome Nepal hurdle,
then the 90 per cent job will be done. Then, we will need only one point against Bhutan in the last match to become champions.’
-With New Age input
