Pakistan face tough test

Football players aim to beat Bangladesh today.

LAHORE:

As Pakistan aim to win the match by atleast a four-goal margin to ensure a place in the second round of the Fifa World Cup qualifiers, the Bangladesh team hope to continue their momentum.

Pakistan lost the away-leg to Bangladesh 3-0 in Dhaka earlier this week and will now play in Lahore with an all-out approach, said their coach Tariq Lutfi.

“We need to attack,” Lutfi told reporters at the Football House. “If we want to win, we have no option but to go all out in our approach.

“We have the home advantage and the conditions are friendly as compared to Dhaka.”

Bangladesh team official Syed Hasan Kanon said they would prefer playing their natural game.

“We’ll play like we always do. Although we have the upper hand, we’ll still try and score maximum goals,” said Kanon.

Kanon added that Pakistan had nothing to lose and his team is aware of the fact. “They have no choice but to win by a good margin to ensure entry into the second round.”

Pakistan lodge complaint

Pakistan coach said the team had lodged a complaint against the conditions in Dhaka where rain had affected the team’s preparations and the pitch as well.

“We have lodged a complaint with the match commissioner. There was heavy rain making it difficult for the players to move freely. That was the main reason behind our loss,” said Lutfi.





Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2011.