History beckons as Bangladesh take on Pakistan in SAFF semis

Bangladesh are 90 minutes away from moving within touching distance of a long-awaited SAFF Championship crown, but Pakistan stand in their way.

The hosts return to the semifinals with renewed belief, a stronger squad, and the backing of their home crowd as they look to take another step towards ending a 23-year title drought on Saturday.

The National Stadium will host a double-header on semifinal day, with defending champions India taking on Bhutan at 3 pm before Bangladesh face Pakistan under the floodlights at 8:30 pm.

For the hosts, however, the evening clash carries the weight of a nation's hopes as they chase a place in the final and a chance to reclaim the regional crown they last won in 2003.

In the 2023 edition, Bangladesh produced a spirited performance against Kuwait but conceded a late goal in extra time to see their title hopes shattered. Three years on, they have another chance to reach the final, this time on home soil.

The current Bangladesh side looks stronger and more experienced, with experienced English Championship midfielder Hamza Choudhury, Farhaan Ali Wahid, and Shamit Shome adding quality to the squad. 

The likes of Zidan Yousuf, Zayyan Ahmed, and Syed Shah Quazem Kirmane have provided further options.

Bangladesh head into the contest with confidence after thrashing Sri Lanka 4-0 on Wednesday to finish top of Group A. 

The emphatic victory provided a timely boost to their attacking confidence, but Pakistan have also strengthened their squad ahead of the decisive clash.

On the other hand, five overseas-based players—Abdullah Iqbal, Easah Suliman, Ali Akbar Khan, Adil Nabi, and Abdul Samad Shahzad—have joined Pakistan after missing the group stage, which fell outside the FIFA international window.

Their arrival has given coach Nolberto Solano additional options.

Bangladesh coach Thomas Dooley, however, is under no illusion about the challenge awaiting his side. 

He described Pakistan as perhaps their toughest opponent of the tournament and warned that their overseas recruits would make them difficult to handle.

He insisted Bangladesh would not underestimate their opponents but remained confident his players could rise to the occasion.

"We have a lot of respect for them. We are not taking them lightly. It will be a battle, but we will try to do the best we can to bring it onto our side," he added.

Pakistan opened their campaign with a 3-2 defeat to India but bounced back with a 3-0 victory over the Maldives. 

Goalkeeper Yousuf Ijaz Butt played down the attention surrounding Hamza and insisted Pakistan have enough quality to challenge the hosts.

"I don't care about Hamza. I care about playing my good friend Jamal Bhuyan," Butt said after Friday's training session at the Bashundhara Kings Arena, ABG Sports City.

"There is a lot of talk about Hamza Choudhury, and yes, they are amazing players. But we have amazing players as well. We have Abdullah Iqbal, Easah Suliman, Adil Nabi, and Abdul Samad Shahzad. I guarantee you we will have amazing players too."

Recalling Pakistan's 1-0 defeat to Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2018, decided by a late own goal, Butt said the two sides always produce competitive encounters.

Butt also welcomed the introduction of VAR, believing it could help officials handle the pressure of the home crowd. He admitted he would love another opportunity to face India in the final but insisted Pakistan must first overcome Bangladesh.

History slightly favours Bangladesh. In seven previous SAFF Championship meetings, including earlier SAFF Gold Cup editions, Bangladesh have won three, drawn two, and lost two, with a 7-3 goal advantage. 

Their most recent meeting ended in a 1-0 victory in 2018, while Bangladesh also beat Pakistan 1-0 in the 2005 semifinal in Karachi.

Earlier on Saturday, defending champions India will face Bhutan in the first semifinal at 3 pm. India have won all three of their previous SAFF Championship meetings with Bhutan and will start as favourites to extend that record. 

Bhutan, however, will be hoping to upset the odds and reach the final.