Booters meet 2003 champs

Members of Bangladesh's 2003 SAFF Championship-winning side wished the national football team luck ahead of the latter's SAFF Championship campaign, which begins on September 4.

The Bangladesh Sports Press Association (BSPA) brought members of both squads together by arranging a programme titled 'Football Stars 2003 and 2018' in an attempt to inspire the current squad ahead of the seven-nation regional extravaganza in Dhaka.

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Of the 20-member SAFF-winning squad, 15 players including captain Rajani Kanta Barman, Arman Mia, Arif Khan Joy, Aminul Haque, Alfaz Ahmed, Saifur Rahman Moni, Rokonuzzaman Kanchan and Firoz Mahmud Titu were present to wish the current players like Jamal Bhuiyan, Tapu Barman, Mamunul Islam, Ashraful Islam Rana, Mahabubur Rahman Sufil, Saad Uddin, Jafar Iqbal, Biswanath Gosh, Biplu Ahmed, Sohel Rana and others luck.

"You produced a good result against Qatar in the Asian Games and I want you guys to keep the Asian Games performance and win the SAFF title after 15 years," urged former central defender Rajani Kanta.

Having elaborated on some lesser-known facts of the 2003 campaign, illustrious former midfielder Arman Mia said: "If you want something from your heart and work hard on the field, then you will not be deprived. I request you not to be nervous because everything such as the stadium, spectators and weather is in your favour."

"Although we were not a good side, we played as a unit and got the success because we had the belief inside us that we could do it and deliver. We finally did it. Now it is your turn to perform for the nation, not for saving your playing career," said Arif Khan Joy, also the state minister for youth and sports.