Dhaka, 19 December 2015: Bangladesh team will give the people an occasion to celebrate in the first three days of 2016 in the SAFF Suzuki Cup 2015 schedule to be held in Kerala, India from 23 December 2015 to 3 January 2016.

BFF Vice President and President Kazi Nabil Ahmed expressed the hope that at a press conference held at the BFF house on Saturday before the departure of Bangladesh team to Kerala on Sunday.

Bangladesh team had many ups and down in the 2015, three coaches had been changed, Maruf took the charge after De Kruef and Lopez. National Team played some matches against good teams in the world cup qualifiers. Besides these the team also played some international matches all the year round. Players learned many different technics from different coaches, earned experiences. Now they are enough mature than before. We hope team boys will give an occasion of festival in the first three days of New Year.” said Nabil at a press.

Captain Mamunul also promised to show their best performance in the South Asian Mega Football event. “ We are promising that we will show our best performance for our country. We did promise in front of our coaches 20 days before that we would do everything possible to win the title.” Said Mamunul.

Coach Marufu Haque expressed his optimism to clinch the title. “When I took the responsibility 20 days ago I set a target to win the title of SAFF Championship, I have worked with the boys in 38 sessions and tried to prepare them physically and mentally, I have known 90 percent of the players before taking the national job, I have said my players to be in their best and the level of discipline they have showed in the camp makes me more optimistic, I have every faith upon them to win the title” said Maruf.

Maruf added he has set his eyes on the first match against Afghanistan. “I have told them that winning the first match is half way to the championship. Afghanistan is a strong team and so are Maldives, I am notu underestimating Bhutan, but these are all sub-continental teams and the standards are not vast, so winning in the title is possible with perfect teamwork” concluded Maruf.

Bangladesh leaves to Kerala on Monday at 10:00 am.