Pakistan goalkeeper eyes India rematch in SAFF final

Pakistan have yet to overcome Bangladesh in the SAFF Championship semi-finals, but goalkeeper Yousuf Butt already has his sights set on a potential final against arch-rivals India.

Speaking after Friday's training session ahead of Saturday's semi-final, Butt made no secret of his desire to face India again, seeking an opportunity to avenge Pakistan's opening-match defeat in the tournament.

Pakistan began their campaign with a narrow 3-2 loss to India, a result that still rankles with Butt and his teammates. However, before dreaming of a rematch, Pakistan must first negotiate a difficult test against hosts Bangladesh, while India must also win their respective semi-final.

Pakistan completed their final training session at ABG Sports Ground on Friday, hoping to reach the SAFF Championship final for the first time in their history. Butt's comments reflected the team's determination to go one step further and finally claim the elusive title.

"I hope we meet India again in the final. I really want to play against India again because the last game was very, very, very bad for us. I would say it was probably our worst performance in the last 12 or 13 matches," Butt said.

"So, hopefully, Inshallah, we will face them again in the final. But we have to take it one game at a time, step by step. Right now, Bangladesh are our opponents."

The Pakistan goalkeeper described the SAFF Championship as the most important tournament of the year for his side, insisting that winning the regional title remains a major ambition.

"I love playing in the SAFF Championship. For us, it is the most important event of the year. We also have the World Cup qualifiers next year, but the SAFF Championship is a competition that I personally, and especially the team, really want to win," he said.

"Hopefully, we can make history and finally become champions this time."

Pakistan will face Bangladesh in Saturday's second semi-final at the National Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 8:30pm. The winners will advance to the final, where they could potentially meet India, provided the defending champions overcome Bhutan in the first semi-final.