Bangladesh football team's interim head coach Oscar Bruzon said they have been focusing on the process and building the team as a winning outfit for the future, despite all the clamors about winning the crucial game against Nepal Wednesday.
Bangladesh will reach the final of the Saff Championship after 16 long years if they can beat Nepal in their final group stage match, but the Spaniard believes keeping focus is important as that will bring good result.
“All of us are talking about result but we are not thinking about result. We are thinking about process. The things we need to do to beat Nepal, we know we can do it. This is our thinking for bringing better future, football culture and becoming a winning team,” said Bruzon during the pre-match press conference Tuesday.
Bangladesh Football Federation decided to give the responsibility to Bruzon, who is the head coach of Bashundhara Kings - the most formidable side in the local circuit for last few years - just around a week before Saff, replacing regular coach Jamie Day, and Bangladesh team now have a great opportunity to create history.
Bangladesh have been deploying high-line defence and showed glimpses of team spirit but failed in the final third, and also received too many yellow cards for physical play.
However, the coach believes these are all part of becoming a winning team and they are happy as their pre-tournament goal is still within their grasp.
“Before the tournament we said we are targeting Nepal and Maldives. We lost to Maldives but now we got Nepal and the win will take us to the final. This is the situation we were looking for before the tournament and we have been working over the last 20 days to reach the final,” said Bruzon.
In the last match, the coach said fatigue was a big issue as Bangladesh had to play their first three games within a week.
They capitulated against hosts Maldives in the third game, losing 2-0 and receiving a host of yellow cards.
But Bangladesh got a five-day break after their last match, while Nepal will return to the field in two days after a hectic match against India.
Bruzon admitted this will be a big favor for his side.
He also thinks this will even out the disadvantage that his side faced earlier in the tournament and this he reckons is the nature of these tournaments.
The Spaniard is of the opinion that the afternoon game will also suit his players as they are comfortable and accustomed playing the 4pm game.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh captain Jamal Bhuiyan said spectators will play a key role by encouraging the team.
“Bangladesh fans did not get much tickets against the hosts but I hope they will get (Wednesday) and will enjoy a good game from their national side,” said Jamal.
The defensive midfielder claimed the players are fresh after getting a break and will give their all to win the match and reach the final.