Uphill task for Pakistan against Bangladesh

Football pitch ready despite dangal spoils, insists PFF.

LAHORE:

The Bangladesh football team landed in Lahore yesterday to compete in the second-leg of their Asian zone qualifier against Pakistan for the 2014 World Cup. The hosts will be looking to make up for a huge deficit tomorrow, after the visitors won the first-leg earlier this week in Dhaka 3-0.

Pakistan face an uphill task ahead of Sunday’s encounter because in order to qualify for the second round, the hosts must win the contest by atleast a four-goal margin. The eventual winner will meet Lebanon in the second round of the qualifying event.

Pakistan undoubtedly enjoy the home advantage since Bangladesh will play for the first time here.

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) official Sardar Naveed Haider, while explaining the pitch conditions, termed it “lush green” despite the deterioration caused by excessive rain and the dangal event last week.

“The pitch is lush green,” Haider told reporters. “The conditions deteriorated because of the wrestling event last Sunday but I must appreciate the way our groundsmen did everything to ready the pitch for the match.

Earlier, the officials of the Bangladesh board had expressed reluctance to tour their neighbouring country. But Fifa turned down a proposal from Bangladesh to relocate their World Cup’s qualifier from Pakistan to Dhaka citing security reasons.

However, Bangladesh captain and the coach – upon arrival at the Lahore airport – expressed happiness. “We are happy to be in Pakistan,” said the Bangladesh team coach.

The captain also expressed excitement, insisting that the two teams will play like “brothers”.

“Both Bangladesh and Pakistan are ultimately brothers and we are here with love for Pakistan.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2^nd, 2011.