Bangladesh in group of death
Dhaka, July 30: Bangladesh
drawn in the group of death of the South Asian Football Federation Championship
2013 as the draw ceremony for the eight-nation group stage held at the Soaltee Crown
Plaza in Kathmandu
on Tuesday. Bangladesh along
with defending champions India,
Nepal and Pakistan who
are all out to dethrone the champions, are in the Group A. Kazi Md. Salahuddin, President of SAFF was present in that glorious occasion.
In the Group B last time runners-up Afghanistan
will face the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan.
The 2013 SAFF Championship will kick off September 1 and it will
continue till September 11 in Kathmandu.
Six-time record champions India, who have won the tournament in
1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011 and Maldives, Bangladesh (2003) and Sri
Lanka all having won one of the nine editions of the tournament.
Bangladesh head coach Lodewijk De kruif was very optimistic though his team
will face tough opponents in the group stage, “This is the group of Death. Our
group we are facing two favourites of this Tournament that is India and Nepal. As well as they are main
contenders of the title. In my point view Afghanistan got lucky in the
groupings. Any way we will play our game.” said the coach.
Bangladesh will face Nepal
in the openers in the SAFF Championship at Dashrath Stadium on 1st September,
play against India September
3rd and Pakistan
September 5th. But Coach is looking forward to winning start, “Any way we have to
face them in the group. Our players are practicing hard for the SAFF. Hope we
will start with win” added the coach.
Also Iqbal Hossain, Manager Bangladesh National Football Team
denied the negative effect of groupings “We have to play our football in this
championship.” said the Manager.
The Draw Groupings are:
Group A: India, Nepal,
Bangladesh and Pakistan
Group B: Afghanistan,
Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan