Bangladesh Face Bhutan Today

Bhutan will give Bangladesh another opportunity to win their first international match in over two years when the two sides meet in the Group B opener of the fifth SAFF Football Championship in Colombo today.

The match, which kicks off at 5.30 pm (Bangladesh time) at the Sugathadasa Stadium, will be telecast live by ATN Bangla.

Having won the 2003 SAFF Championship at home, Bangladesh ran two years and 11 months without an international win and broke the duck when they crushed Bhutan 3-0 in the 2005 SAFF Championship opener in Karachi.

Abu Yusuf's boys now face the South Asian minnows in a similar situation and feel confident to end their latest lean patch of two years and two months, which started after beating Guam 3-0 in the inaugural AFC Challenge Cup at home in April 2006.

Winners in 2003 and runners-up in Karachi, Bangladesh are pitted against Afghanistan and co-hosts Sri Lanka in their group.

National captain Aminul Haque told in a message to the Bangladesh Football Federation yesterday that the team's morale is high after a good preparation match against Thailand's BEK Toro FC, which ended in a goalless draw in Bangkok on May 30.

"We have managed to correct many of our mistakes and are now prepared to beat Bhutan to take a step towards the semifinal, which is our initial target," Aminul said.

"Everyone in the country wants us to win this trophy and we are like a family here. We are determined to give our 100 percent to make this tournament a success.

"We are not taking Bhutan lightly but we will be there to win," added the Bangladesh goalkeeper.

Bangladesh have won both their previous meetings with Bhutan, in 2003 and 2005 SAFF Championships, by identical margins of 3-0.

Meanwhile, defending champions India got off to a flying start when they routed Nepal 4-0 in the tournament opener in Maldives capital Male yesterday with goals from Pradeep, Baichung Bhutia, Sunil Chetri and Sushil Kumar.