Salahuddin expects very little against Qatar

Kazi Salahuddin, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president, has not put much expectation for the tough Qatar game and he admitted that damage control would be their main purpose against the reigning Asian Champions on December 4. 

“I hope the boys will play well but I have very little expectations. Our boys started practice only three weeks ago after a long hiatus eight months. If I say softly, damage limitations will be our purpose.” Salahuddin told the reporters while replying to a query at the BFF House on Wednesday. 

“Qatar is Asia's number one team. They are the first country of the continent that began football activities during the Covid-19 pandemic. We can’t compare ourselves with Qatar.”

“It’s different what they will do or say there. But as President and ex footballer, I think damage control is the main thing,” the BFF boss admitted. 

Bangladesh team is facing more hurdles before taking on the Asian champion in the away fixture as they have been without their head coach Jamie Day in Qatar. The British tactician is isolated in Dhaka with covid-19 positive and may join his disciples only after he will be tested negative. 

“The game against Qatar without Jamie will have a lot of impact. There will be negative effects because it’s not the same format like it was against Nepal. It has to be different tactics. The team certainly feels Jamie's absence, “ Salahuddin replied to a different query.

Salahuddin however expects good results against India and Afghanistan in the pending 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup qualifying fixtures at home next year. 

“The next matches will be different especially against India and Afghanistan. Our planning and mental getup will be different. I have this in my head to get enough preparation before those games. We have to take those matches in serious manner because we can expect good results there.” 

Salahuddin said he would be very happy if Bangladesh get points in both home fixtures expected to be held in March-April.

Bangladesh earlier held India to a 1-1 draw in the first away leg in Kolkata last year and lost narrowly against Afghanistan by 1-0 at a neutral venue in Tajikistan in their opening Group E fixture.