Bangladesh football team head coach Thomas Dooley has sent a defiant message to Pakistan ahead of their semi-final encounter at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Friday. "We have to show the fans that we can play football, that we can fight football, and we do it for the fans—and that's what we have to show Pakistan too, that it's not easy to beat us," Dooley said.
The statement comes on the back of Bangladesh's emphatic 4-0 victory over Sri Lanka, a result that has boosted the team's confidence significantly. But it wasn't just the scoreline that caught the attention of the opposition; Bangladesh's pace and style of play left a lasting impression on the Sri Lankan players.
Sri Lankan players' curiosity
Following the match, four to five Sri Lankan players visited the Bangladesh dressing room to speak with the coach and the players. Their curiosity was piqued by the speed of the Bangladeshi attackers. Speaking to the media before practice at the Kings Arena on Friday, Dooley recounted the incident: "After the match, four or five Sri Lankan players came to us. They said, 'This is amazing! What do you feed your players?' They noted that when one of their fast players was substituted, another came on who was even faster."Dooley was pleased with the compliment from the Sri Lankan players, viewing it as recognition of the pace and capability of Bangladesh's forward line. This speed could prove to be a significant weapon for Bangladesh against Pakistan.
