Bangladesh captain Mamunul Islam has urged his players to perform as a team to avoid elimination from 2015 SAFF Championship.
In their second Group B tie, coach Maruful Haque’s men will take on the Maldives, who prevailed over Bhutan 3-1 in their opener.
Holders Afghanistan hammered a woeful Bangladesh 4-0 in their opening match at Kerala’s Trivandrum International Stadium on Thursday.
“Many of us could not give our best against Afghanistan. The second goal had pushed us on to the backfoot,” Mamunul said on Friday.
“No-one can win a match alone; we have to play as a team, must give our best.”
“Everyone gets a chance to make a comeback. We have two chances; the first is against the Maldives and we have to put it to good use.”
Bangladesh, who won the title once, in 2003, were upbeat coming into the competition.
But Thursday’s uninspiring display, that registered their first defeat against Afghanistan in six encounters, was surely not how they wanted to get off in their mission of winning the competition.
Mamunul, however, wants the youths to step up for the team.
“The youths have to give more than those experienced in the team. (They) have to realise why we are here.”
Source: bdnews24
