Hosts take on Uzbekistan on Sunday
Dhaka, March 28: Bangladesh take on highest ranked Uzbekistan in the second match day of the AFC U-23 group E qualifiers at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Saunday. The match will kick-off at 6;00 pm.
Bangladesh lost 4-0 to Syria in their first match while Uzbekistan won 2-0 against India.
Bangladesh head coach Lodewijk de Kruif however looked forward positively. “We were nervous against Syria and made some silly mistakes. It would be a tough match against Uzbekistan. They are same level as Syria and the difference is vast. We have to think about the mistakes we did in the last match and must avoid them and have to be more compact organisation,” said the Dutchman on Saturday.
Uzbekistan coach Ashurmatov Bakhtiyor believed it would not be an easy game. “I saw the match (Bangladesh vs Syria) and I think Bangladesh are a good team. They couldn't defend well and the first eleven minutes was not good for them. I expect a difficult game against them,” said the former Uzbekistan footballer adding that the players have already adapted to the condition here.
In the first match of the day Syria locks horn with Indian at 3;00 pm. Syrian coach Muhannad al Fakir said after winning 4-0 against the hosts the spirit of his team is very high and they want to start from where they had finished.
Indian coach Savio Medeira said they want to rectify their mistakes and continue the hard work they have produced against Uzbekistan.