The two-match SS Steel International Friendly Series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka kicks off on Friday as the home side are brimming with confidence and believe they can win both matches.
The hosts, however, will be guided by interim coach Saiful Bari Titu, after the Bangladesh Football Federation ended terms with regular coach Lodewijk de Kruif a couple of days ago. Titu informed that he would adopt a playing style similar to what the Dutchman had taught.
“The main objective of arranging friendlies is to keep the national team in shape and increase the understanding among the players,” said Titu at a press conference at the BFF House yesterday. “He (Kruif) worked with his philosophy for the last one and a half years. I will not change the style he instilled overnight and continue with 4-3-3 formation which was the preferred system he used,” he added.
A 23-man squad for the friendlies consist four new faces – Yousuf Sifat, Fahad, Topu Barman and Rasel Mahmud Liton – who impressed for the U-23s while defender Atiqur Rahman Meshu is out with injury.
Titu ended on the losing side when he last guided Bangladesh against Sri Lanka in the AFC Challenge Cup in 2010, but the veteran coach does not see the upcoming matches as his revenge mission rather he wants to concentrate on the development of the team.
“Four years is a long time. Many changes have come since we lost against them,” he said. “Now we know very little about them since they haven’t played a lot recently. I think there are many young players in the team.
“Sri Lanka are a close opponent for us. We can point out our weaknesses through these matches and make ourselves better as a team by working on them,” he continued.
Bangladesh captain Mamunul Islam, who returned from Indian Super League side Atletico de Kolkata and joined the squad for the friendlies yesterday, believes the matches will work as a preparation for the next Saff Championship.
“Our next target is Saff Championship and we already started our preparation. The team is in a good shape and we will try to perform our best and play to win,” said the Sheikh Jamal DC midfielder.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka arrived in Dhaka on the back of a contrasting two-match series against Seychelles where they won one and lost the other. The Islanders’ Serbian coach Nikola Kavazovic, who will face a South Asian opponent for the first time in Jessore, believes they have done their homework and look forward to beat the hosts in both matches.
“The training sessions were only tactical. We analysed every single player of Bangladesh to show my players where Bangladesh can trouble us and how we can create trouble for them,” said the 39-year-old who took charge of Sri Lanka on July 3.
“I do believe we can win both games, not only one,” he continued. “Bangladesh are favourites for only one reason - they are playing at home. I expect a full stadium because I want my players to feel the pressure and have that experience.” Sri Lanka captain Sanjeewa informed they have only four players who previously faced Bangladesh while the rest are all newcomers.
SS Steel is the title sponsor of the series while Walton and Amber Group are the co-sponsors. Major Nurul Amin, deputy general manager, HR & Admin, SS Steel was present during the ceremony where BFF revealed the details.
On a brighter note, BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag informed that tickets of the first game at Jessore Stadium which has a capacity of 11,000 spectators are almost sold out as they initially planned to sell 15,000 tickets.