Dooley urges unity ahead of SAFF Championship

Bangladesh head coach Thomas Dooley has called for unity and a positive atmosphere around the national team as the hosts continue their preparations on Wednesday for the SAFF Championship, insisting that he trusts his players despite their recent struggles against higher-ranked opponents.

Speaking to reporters at the National Stadium after the team's fourth training session, the coach stressed that everyone involved in Bangladesh football must work together if the team are to achieve success in the regional competition.

“I trust my players. We prepare for every single game,” he said, adding that Bangladesh must approach every opponent with the same level of seriousness.

The coach acknowledged that the team would face challenges but warned against underestimating any opponent, including Bhutan. Bangladesh must win four matches, from the opening game to the last, to achieve their target, he said.

“We cannot go into Bhutan saying, ‘Oh, it's an easy game.’ No, it's not. We have to perform every single time,” he added.

The coach also defended his comments about Bangladesh's difficulties against higher-ranked teams such as Indonesia and Malaysia, saying his remarks had been misunderstood. He insisted that he had never lost faith in his players and pointed out that footballers can make mistakes under pressure.

“We are not robots. They are players who also have stress,” he said, explaining that mistakes can happen when players are under pressure.

He urged the media and supporters to focus on constructive discussions and help create a positive environment for the team, while acknowledging that criticism is justified when performances fall short.

“If we all work together, we are going to make it. But if we do not, then it will be very difficult,” he said.

Meanwhile, the coaching staff have been strengthened with the return of assistant coach Hasan Al Mamun, who had resigned earlier. The coach welcomed his return, saying he was happy with the staff and looking forward to the upcoming matches.

Bangladesh have also brought Taj Uddin and Abdullah Omar Sajib into training as additional options amid concerns over injuries and the fitness of several players.

The coach said defender Bishwanath Ghosh had been giving his all in training but that the team needed to be cautious about his hamstring problem to avoid another setback.

The additional players will provide cover as the coaching staff assess the squad over the coming days before making further decisions.

The coach also praised the team's recent floodlight training session at the National Stadium, saying it had been an excellent opportunity to experience the conditions under the lights.

With the SAFF Championship approaching, Bangladesh are continuing their preparations with the aim of building a competitive and united squad for the tournament.