SAFF Under-19 semi-finals today<\/strong>
\nBangladesh look to bounce back from their defeat in the last group match against Nepal and cause an upset against favourites India in the second semi-final of the inaugural SAFF Under-19 Championship today.\u00a0The match kicks off at the ANFA Complex in Kathmandu at 3:30pm Bangladesh Standard Time.\u00a0Group-A champions and hosts Nepal will take on Afghanistan in other semi-final at the same venue.
\nBangladesh confirmed their berth in the last four thanks to their 2-0 over Bhutan before an own goal in the dying moments condemned them to 2-1 defeat against Nepal.
\n\u2018To overcome the semi-final hurdle against India, who have a number of players from Indian Professional League at their disposal, Bangladesh must produce an improved show\u2019, said coach Saiful Bari Titu.
\n\u2018We played well against Nepal and kept them on their toes always. But we did not get our desired result due to some mistakes which we must avoid against India,\u2019 said Titu.
\nTitu also thinks that India are the strongest and most balanced side in the tournament and most of their players were technically, tactically and physically ahead of his charges.
\n\u2018We have to give our best to make the difference. I am happy as the boys are motivated for that,\u2019 said Titu.
\n\u2018India will not allow us to go into attack directly because their midfield is more compact and we don\u2019t have any alternatives but to launch attack through flanks\u2019, said the coach.
\n\u2018We are thinking to keep the same strategy that we used against Nepal by utilising both the flanks but there will be some changes in game plans,\u2019 he said.
\nOne major concern for Titu, however, is the backline that committed two blunders against Nepal and paid the price.
\n\u2018I have worked to sort out the defensive problems that we had against Nepal. I am now thinking of making few changes in the backline and preparing the team for the penalty shootout if it is needed.\u2019<\/p>\n

-With New Age<\/strong> input<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SAFF Under-19 semi-finals today Bangladesh look to bounce back from their defeat in the last group match against Nepal and cause an upset against favourites India in the second semi-final of the inaugural SAFF Under-19 Championship today.\u00a0The match kicks off at the ANFA Complex in Kathmandu at 3:30pm Bangladesh Standard Time.\u00a0Group-A champions and hosts Nepal … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[4280,1683,11055],"yoast_head":"\n