Dhaka, January 3: Held once to a goalless draw the Indian camp is hopeful of winning the SAFF trophy a fourth time. They have lifted it all three times that SAFF women’s football championship has been held.

The Indian camp remained confident about their fourth victory in SAFF while Bangladesh celebrated their first time in the finals of the women’s championship final.

They had already met India once in the group stages and held the title holders to a goalless draw, which is a reason for much moral boost for the young side. Bangladesh edged past India at the group stage on goal difference and went through to the semis as group champions routing Afghanistan and later Maldives in the semis.

Although some have pointed at Bangladesh’s defensive strategy against India, the team management brushes it aside saying that was all “part of the strategy.” A strategy that worked quite well.

At the media interaction, Bangladesh Head Coach Golam Rabbani Choton smiled and said every match was different. “You have to play different teams differently.”

He said Bangladesh would not be conceding an inch in the final. “We will give our 100 percent and play to win.”

Choton said he had just the strategy in mind.

Indian Head Coach Sajid Dar insisted that he had “learnt a few lessons” from the last match. Noting that the last match with Bangladesh ended scoreless, he said “We learnt quite a lot.”

Sajid Dar said that result was not something that India could afford to repeat.

“In the league stage, they were defensive. They may or may not change their strategy for the final. We are ready for everything.”

He was, however, also cautious about completely dismissing the first time finalists. Dar said India had failed to capitalise on a few chances being denied by Sabina, the goalkeeper who is looking forward to another clean sheet for Bangladesh. “We can’t afford that luxury in the final,” said Dar.