Bangladesh football team head coach James Day said they are looking forward to have a good start in their group opener match if the boys able to take the challenge against strong Palestine.
He was speaking at a pre-match press conference held on Tuesday at the conference room of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Bhaban where Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Mauritius football team’s coaches and players were also present to express their plans in the tournament.
Bangladesh will face defending champions Palestine in the group A opening match of the sixth edition of Bangabandhu International Football tournament that begins today at Bangabandhu National Stadium.
The Bangladesh head coach said they are looking forward a good start in the tournament taking strong supports of crowds and hoping to go to the semifinal first if the boys able to take the pressure of Palestine.
James Day said it would be a tough job to beat Palestine but boys are motivated and ready to take the challenge.
The English-born Bangladesh coach said they have a chance to win against Palestine if his boys able to give their best performance in the match.
Commenting about Palestine he said their opponents are very strong having quality players but boys need to play really well against Palestine.
The head coach said they would miss the service of Jibon and Badsha in Palestine match due to injury problem.
Team skipper Jamal Bhuyan, who was present in the press conference, said they want to win the tournament trophy as it going to be held on the occasion of birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
He informed that the team’s preparation has been very good so far… there are some new comers in the squad and they also have some good players to replace injured Jibon and Badsha.
He also requested the supporters to come in the stadium to support the national team during the tournament.
On the other hand, Palestine head coach Makram Dadoub expressed his firm optimism to retain the tournament title.
He said as they are champions so they have come here to regain the tournament trophy.
Makram said he has no idea of the participating teams except Bangladesh and Burundi which he considered the good sides of the tournament.
Team’s key player Mohammad OA Darwish, who is representing the national team for the first time, said they have come to win the tournament title.
Mauritius football team’s coach Joaquim Francisco Filho said they are representing the tournament for the first time and want to gather some experience.
He said his boys would try to play good football in the tournament.
The 24 years old team’s captain Pascal Damien Balisson said all are big teams but they are the young side to take part in the tournament.
Seychelles football team’s officials informed that the team’s are well prepared and in good shape in good combination comprising young and experience players and they have come to win the trophy. They said they have little idea about the participating teams as they have come here to play for achieving the target.
Sri Lankan football team’s manager Colonel Pathmanathan termed his team as a balance one and hoping to give a good fight in the tournament.
He said though the present team lost to Nepal U-23 team last month but now the boys are more organised.
