BD vs Nepal : Preview
Kathmandu, August 30: Bangladesh head coach Lodewijk de Kruif asked his players to get supremely fit-both physically and mentally when they take the field against hosts Nepal in the opening match of the SAFF Championship at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu on Saturday.
Lodewijk de Kruif referred to the incident of the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers when the Nepalese fans threw particles including a Nokia mobile phone into the pitch. “The players would have to go a stern test in front of the hostile crowd, they have to be in the best possible conditions, physically and mentally when they play Nepal” said the Dutch head coach.
Bangladesh beat Nepal 2-0 in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers . The Dutch head coach tried to keep the pressure out of his team. “In our group Bangladesh is outsiders, there are defending champions India and hosts Nepal but it does not mean Bangladesh don’t have the fire to win the title, we have a tough and hard preparation and the players are good, they are raring to go” said de Kruif.
Bangladesh skipper Mamunul Islam’s inclusion was uncertain as he was not declared fit to play the medical staff of the team till Friday evening.
Meanwhile Sagar Thapa, the Nepalese captain cautioned Bangladesh about having a tough time. “Revenge is not in our mind but we will focus not to repeat the mistakes we made in the match, the first match is very important for us and we want to win it to take a big step towards the semis”said Sagar.
Nepal has no injury worries and their coach Jack Stefanowski said he has taken the match as the most important one in the meet.