SAFF U-18: Bangladesh to play India on Sunday
The match will kick-off at 2:45 pm (BST).
Title-aspirants Bangladesh are set to play their neighbour India in the final of the SAFF Under-18 Championship 2019 on Sunday at the APF Stadium in Kathmandu, keeping their eye on their maiden title.
The match will kick-off at 2:45 pm (BST).
The 3rd place deciding match between two losing semifinalists – Bhutan and Maldives – will also be held on Sunday at 10:45 am (BST) at the same venue.
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In the pre-match press conference on Saturday in Kathmandu, Bangladesh Head Coach Andrew Peter Turner said, "We have a plan for tomorrow's match against India. It is a great opportunity for Bangladesh. We are looking forward to it."
Bangladesh captain Yeasin Arafat said, "We are hungry for the victory. Players are fully fit and ready. We want to give our best tomorrow."
Replying to a query about their opponents Bangladesh, Indian Head Coach Floyd Pinto said, "The top two teams of the tournament have reached the final. The match will be exciting."
Indian captain Prabhsukhan Singh Gill said, "Bangladesh is a well-organised team. They are playing good football in the tournament."
Bangladesh secured themselves a place in the final of SAFF Under-18 Championship 2019 crushing Bhutan by 4-0 goals in the first semifinal while India also defeated Maldives by 4-0 goals to book a seat in the final on Friday at the APF Stadium in Kathmandu.
On their way to the final, last time runners-up Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka by 3-0 goals in their first Group B match and played to a goalless draw against India in the 2nd and last group match.
On the other hand, India outplayed all-losers Sri Lanka by 3-0 goals in their 2nd group match before playing out a goalless draw with Bangladesh.
After the press conference, Bangladeshi booters had their last training session in the afternoon.
Earlier, Bangladesh played twice against India in the SAFF U-18 Championships and had mixed results with one win and one defeat.
Bangladesh were eliminated from the semifinal of the SAFF U-18 Championship in 2015 after conceding a 3-4 goals defeat against India in the penalty shootout in Nepal but two years later Bangladesh crushed them by 4-3 goals in the group stage of the SAFF U-18 Championship in 2017 in Bhutan.
