Pakistan Match Is 'a Final', Says Bangladesh Coach Dooley Before SAFF Semifinal; Sad Uddin Ruled Out

Bangladesh have reached the SAFF Championship semifinals as group champions, and their eyes are now on the final. But for the team's coach, Saturday's semifinal itself is no less than a final.

Bangladesh face Pakistan in the semifinal on Saturday. The team held its final training session on Friday, drawing a large crowd of journalists, while supporters also gathered to watch Hamza Choudhury train.

Speaking to the media before training, German coach Thomas Dooley said: "For us, this match is like a final. Every match in the tournament is like a final, but this one truly is, because I think Pakistan are one of the best teams. We have to win the semifinal and then win the final to become SAFF champions — that is our goal."

Dooley said: "In matches like this, if you can keep the joy and excitement of the last match, one day or two or three days of rest makes little difference. It is mainly a mental matter — how you prepare yourself physically and mentally for the match."

Referring to the performance against Sri Lanka, he said: "The warm-up before the last match was excellent, the best in the last few years. The players were focused, positive and helping each other. I told them in the dressing room too — if you can play like the warm-up, everything will go the right way, and that is what happened."

The picture of the team changed completely after Hamza Choudhury and Farhan Ali Wahid joined following the first match.

Bangladesh are playing in Group A at this SAFF. Thomas Dooley's team won both of their two matches to reach the semifinals as group champions. Shammit Shome, Hamza Choudhury, Farhan Ali Wahid and Rakib Hossain scored in the Sri Lanka match.

However, the joy of the 4-0 win over Sri Lanka has been dimmed a little by an injury to right-back Sad Uddin. The in-form defender has been ruled out of the tournament with an ankle injury.

On the team environment, Dooley said: "The current environment and mentality of the team are great. Those who are not playing are also desperate to prove themselves in training, which is increasing healthy competition within the team. There is no ego in the team; everyone is working towards one goal — winning the SAFF tournament."

Saturday's semifinal kicks off at 8:30 pm.