Qtrs fights heat up

The battle for quarterfinals berths from Group D -- the only group of death in the inaugural AFC Challenge Cup -- intensifies today when Pakistan take on Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan play Macau in the second round matches at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Tajikistan, after the 4-0 showoff against lowly Macau, look clear favourites in the day's first match but Pakistan's 1-0 upset win over Kyrgyzstan has really changed the equation.

"The weather is no problem for us and the boys have not only accustomed to the conditions quickly but also tuned up well to reach the second stage. The result of the opening match proves that. We know that Pakistan would not be an easy opponent, but we are confident about ensuring the quarterfinal berth by beating them," said Tajikistan coach Sharif Nazarov.

Pakistan's Bahraini coach Salman Sharida was elated after his team's first win in seven internationals and said that his side with a number of youngsters were ready to fight all out against the tournament favourites.

"We got the reward for fighting hard against Kyrgyzstan. We will fight the Tajiks with the same spirit too because if we lose, we would be under pressure to win in the last match against Macau," Sharida told.

Meanwhile to stay in the race, Kyrgyzstan must beat Macau before the group finale against their central Asian neighbours Tajikistan, and coach Boris Podkorytov was worried.

"The heat is too much and we may have to field an understrength side because our key centre-back Samsaliev is injured and doubtful for the game," stated Podkorytov.

In Group B, Nepal coach Shyam Thapa is confident of his side's victory in their second game against Brunei today at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong. Bhutan take on Sri Lanka in the day's other match at the same venue.

Former Mohun Bagan striker Thapa said his boys did not play up to their potential in the opener against Bhutan. "We have chalked out a plan and we can win if they can implement it on the field properly. Our combination was good in the first match but the strikers lacked finishing skills which is a cause for concern, but I hope they will improve on that in the second game," he said.

Sri Lanka coach Sampath Perera feels the margin of victory against Brunei, 1-0, could have been bigger but his forwards failed to materialise the chances. "We also concentrated on that aspect during the training and we will try to play good quality football tomorrow," he hoped.