KARACHI, Dec 13: Pakistan face a daunting task when they face defending champions Bangladesh in SAFF soccer semifinals on Wednesday with coach Salman Ahmed Sharida saying previous close victories would not put his side under pressure.
For Sharida, who took over charge on Oct 23, Bangladeshis are one of the toughest sides of the tournament. Bangladesh lifted the title in 2003 when after they downed Maldives 5-3 on penalty shootout.
Bangladesh started their campaign with a 3-0 win over minnows Bhutan before beating Nepal 2-0 and finally holding three-time champions India 1-1 in the match that saw them become Group ‘B’ champions.
But Sharida is not bothered by narrow margin victories his side had scored in the eight-nation event. Pakistan took a start with 1-0 triumph over Sri Lanka before beating underdogs Afghanistan by same margin. Pakistan forced a goalless draw against favourites Maldives to become Group ‘A’ runners-up.
“Bangladesh are one good side and have been performing well in the tournament. Although I want to win and play the final, at least good football is all I can try to give. Everybody wants to win. I too want to win but that’s not in my control,” Sharida told Dawn.
The Bahraini however, says securing points was vital in the group matches and that was exactly what Pakistan did. The coach said points and not bigger number of goals were needed.
“We scored just two goals in the group matches, while Maldives 11. But what happened when Maldives played against Pakistan. Why they didn’t score against us. So it is simple. Victory is victory whether we win by five or six goals or just one. Number of goals can’t boost morale or demoralise anybody. Now we both are in semifinals,” said the coach.
Sharida was however, confident that his side would go all out against the title-holders with an aim to display good soccer and win.
“All the players are in good spirit and physically fit. It is not in my hand to win but I am putting all my efforts to make this side a formidable one.”
Pakistan have been bolstered after the arrival of English Premier League club Fulham defender Zesh Rehman who has been marshalling the defence and always joins forwards during corners and free kicks. Star striker Mohammad Essa whose free kick helped Pakistan win 1-0 against Afghanistan, will also be the focus of attention.
But Imran Hussain’s absence will be making things difficult for the home side as the striker will not be in action after he got his second yellow of the tournament. Imran was instrumental in Pakistan’s 1-0 victory over Sri Lanka, scoring the match-winner.
Bangladesh camp is not ready to take Pakistan as easy opponents as their Argentine coach Diego Andres Cruciani considers the semifinal against Pakistan as a “very tough” game.
Cruciani was full of praise for Pakistan, saying they are well balanced and more oragnized as compared to Bangladesh. “It will be a very tough match tomorrow. Pakistan are better organized and I consider them as tough rivals,” he said.
While Rokkonuzzaman Kanchan will be the man marked by the Pakistanis, Bangladeshi star of 2003 edition Mohammed Rahman Munna, whose brilliant golden goal strike put Bangladesh into final after beating India, will also be under spotlight.
In yet another interesting semifinal, India will take on high-flying Maldives.
Wednesday’s fixtures (semifinals):
Maldives v India at 3.00pm; Bangladesh v Pakistan at 6.00pm.