Hosts face Syria test
Hosts Bangladesh are apparently mulling to play on the counter attack when they take on the mighty Syria in one of two opening day's matches of the AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers at the Bangabandhu National Stadium today.
The Bangladesh U-23 football team lock horns against their Syrian counterparts in the second match at 6:00pm after group-favourites Uzbekistan play against India at 3:00pm. Channel 9 will telecast both matches live from the venue.
The Bangladesh national team played attacking and scintillating football against Malaysia U-23, Thailand U-23 and Sri Lanka national team in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup last month but this time the home side is going to adopt a defensive strategy against their mighty opponents Syria, who are seemingly a stronger side than their FIFA rank (152) reflects.
Bangladesh's Dutch coach Lodewijk de Kruif clearly stated that they have no real target but he has pinned the hope that his charges would be able to transmit the lessons from training to the competitive match.
“We have to admit that a tough team is up against us and we cannot dominate them like we did against other opponents in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup. Now it is a totally different situation. They are much better than us. We need another game plan and the game plan should be very good and focus on compact organisation. From that organisation we will try to play our game,” said Kruif at the pre-match briefing at the BFF House yesterday.
Kruif wants a compact midfield with five men backed by four defenders and a lone striker up front to avail the opportunities on the counter attack.
Captain Raihan Hasan, fit-again Yeasin Khan, Tapu Barman and Naidul Islam are likely to stand in a four-man backline with midfielders Atiqur Rahman Fahad and Omar Faruque Babu playing in front of the backline as the destroyers for the opponent attacks. Wingers Yousuf Sifat, Jewel Rana and vice-captain Shohel Rana will probably be trying to find the gaps of Syrian backline to feed lone striker Wahed Ahmed.
“What can we do against the strong team? We cannot attack; we can't walk into the knives as that would be very stupid. First of all, we want very close and compact defensive organisation,” said the 45-year-old coach.
“Instead of attacking like crazy people, we will find the gaps and try to take the opportunities.”
Syrian coach Muhannad Al Fakir though termed the home side a strong opponents but he believes his charges can make the difference in the match.
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