Bangladesh within reach of a final after 21 years

BanglaPress Desk: Bangladesh is flying high in the SAFF Championship on home soil. Hamza Chowdhury’s side reached the semi-finals by finishing at the top of their group following a string of victories. The hosts will now face Pakistan for a spot in the final; a win against Pakistan would see Bangladesh return to the final for the first time in 21 years.

The ‘Red and Greens’ last reached the final in 2005, where they were defeated 2-0 by India. Since then, they have not managed to reach a title-deciding match. Today’s encounter against Pakistan is set to kick off at 8:30 PM at the National Stadium. Earlier that same day, at 3:00 PM, defending champions India will face Bhutan in the first semi-final.

Bangladesh is determined to end a 23-year wait for the title. The hosts aim to carry the momentum from their stellar group-stage performance into this crucial match. Their opponents, Pakistan, have already issued a bold challenge, setting the stage for an exciting clash between the two sides.

Bangladesh began the tournament with a 1-0 victory over Bhutan, followed by a commanding 4-0 win against Sri Lanka in their final group-stage match. Shamit Som, Hamza Chowdhury, Farhan Ali Wahid, and Rakib Hossain scored for Bangladesh against Sri Lanka—a performance that showcased the team’s attacking prowess and growing confidence.

Meanwhile, Bangladeshi midfielder Jamal Bhuyan acknowledged the threat posed by Pakistan, noting that following the big win against Sri Lanka, the team’s full focus has shifted to the semi-final. However, the hosts are grappling with some injury concerns in their defensive line. Right-back Saad Uddin has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament after sustaining an Achilles tendon injury against Sri Lanka. Ahead of this vital match, the coaching staff will also need to assess the fitness and readiness of the other defenders.

Bangladesh will also benefit from the home-field advantage. Backed by the fervent support of their fans, Hamza and his teammates will take to the pitch, fighting for a place in the final. A victory would bring Bangladesh one step closer to ending the long wait to reclaim its supremacy in regional football.

This challenge is particularly significant for Bangladesh. The 'red and greens' first won the SAFF Championship title on home soil in 2003; 23 years have since passed as they await a second title. To reach the final, Bangladesh must maintain the attacking momentum they have displayed so far.

However, Pakistan could prove to be a formidable challenge for Bangladesh in the semi-final. Although they narrowly lost 3–2 to India in their opening group-stage match, Pakistan bounced back impressively, securing a dominant 3–0 victory over the Maldives in their final group game.