Bangladesh Face Pakistan in 1st Match Tomorrow

Bangladesh national hockey team take on their Pakistani counterpart in the first of the three-match play off series scheduled to be held at Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium tomorrow (Thursday). The winners’ of this series will secure a sixth place in the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup qualifiers, scheduled for February and March next year. The series is expected to deliver competitive hockey as both sides look to build rhythm and confidence ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.

Addressing  a press conference held at conference room of Bangladesh Hockey Federation, Bangladesh coach Siegfried Gottlieb Aikman clearly admitted that it’s huge challenge for his team because Pakistani team is not only ahead than Bangladesh in ranking but also in experience. 

He said there is a big gap between the two teams but the goal now is to reduce that gap. They have prepared as much as they can, and will go into the field with that preparation and looking forward a fight encounter.

Rezaul Karim Babu, the captain of Bangladesh national hockey team, said: “We all know the reality that Pakistan is a better team than us. So I have said before that we have nothing to lose here. But if we can try our best then we have a lot to gain.”

We have seven players from the Under-21 team in our team. So we have a good understanding with them because four of them have already have been playing for the national team for last three-four years. So hopefully something good will happen and we’ll try our best to do something good.”

Replying to a question the Bangladesh skipper said he doesn’t want to take a pressure before Pakistan match because he always like to be pressure-free. “Pakistan is a good team but our team will also try to play to the best of our capability,” he said. Pakistan coach Md Usman thinks that no one wins easily and he senses the match between the two sides going to be a competitive one as Bangladesh is not an easy opponents.   “I've seen Bangladesh play in the Asia Cup - they are a good team, physically prepared and fit. I think every match will be competitive. Bangladesh is not an easy opponent at all.” he said.

Ahammad Shakil Butt, the captain of the Pakistan national hockey team, said: “I am very happy to be in Dhaka to play this three-match series against the Bangladesh national team. This is a very important tournament for both teams to qualify for the World Cup round.” The Pakistan captain said apart from the home team, his team is also expecting support from the local crowds and also and waiting for an exciting match.