Who Replaces Saad Against Pakistan in the SAFF Semifinal? Rahmat Leads the Race as Dooley Keeps Quiet

Bangladesh have reached the SAFF Championship semifinals as group champions with a commanding 4-0 win over Sri Lanka. But the joy of that victory has been dimmed somewhat by an injury to right-back Saad Uddin. The in-form defender has been ruled out of the tournament with an ankle injury.

Ahead of tomorrow's semifinal against Pakistan at the National Stadium, the biggest question is therefore: who will play on the right side of defence in Saad's place?

At the pre-match press conference, Bangladesh coach Thomas Dooley took a tactical stance instead of giving a direct answer. He admitted Saad's absence is a big blow for the team but placed his trust in the replacement player.

Dooley said, “It is of course very sad for us, because Saad is a player who always gives one hundred percent whenever he plays, whenever he takes the field — even in training. On the right side he was a very strong defender; very attacking in mentality, good at defensive work, skilled and a very hard worker. So he will definitely be missed tomorrow and we will have to fill that gap with another player. We are thinking about who that player will be, and whoever comes in, I am sure he will play just like Saad and help us succeed.”

Considering the current state of the squad, experienced defender Rahmat Mia is ahead in the race to take Saad's place. When Saad left the field on a stretcher in the 81st minute against Sri Lanka, it was Rahmat who came on as his substitute at right-back.

Saad's younger brother Taj Uddin is also in the squad for this position. In addition, the coach has the options of moving centre-back Tariq Rayhan Kazi to the right, or using Bishwanath Ghosh, who has recently returned to training after recovering from injury, at right-back.

Dooley, however, showed little interest in bringing Topu Barman, Bishwanath Ghosh and midfielder Sohel Rana — all recently back in training after injuries — straight back into the eleven. Topu, who missed both group matches, and Bishwanath, who did not play against Sri Lanka, may be fit again, but the coach is treating training performance as the final criterion.

With young centre-back Zidan Yusuf playing superbly, Dooley does not want to break up the core structure of the defence. He stated clearly, “It is not the case that you stay out for a few weeks and then come back and say, I am ready. It doesn't work that way, because the players have been told that every performance in training counts and if you don't do well it is hard to get a chance — you have to show your place through performance. Now we have Zidan in our team, and right now it is very difficult to drop Zidan.” The coach is, however, relieved that the senior footballers have become fully fit, and said he is ready to use them if needed.