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Bangladesh look for better show

Sports Reporter
Shrugging off the wobbly performance against I Pakistan, hosts Bangladesh will be hoping to get back to rhythm against Sri Lanka in their crucial Group B match of the Bangabandhu SAFF Championship at the Bangabandhu National Stadium today.
Shahidur Rahman Shantoo's charges were not as impressive in their second match as they were against Bhutan and definitely die game had a lack of rhythm in the midfield that made die hosts suffer most against Pakistan. Bangladesh coach will be expecting diat his midfielders would put on a better show against Sri Lanka, a side that have already advanced into the last four from Group B with two consecutive victories.
1 With four points from two outings, Bangladesh need only a draw against Sri Lanka to go through as the second team from this group.
But before Bangladesh take on Sri Lanka match, Pakistan will play against Bhutan to keep their semifinal hopes alive. Pakistan, who have managed only one point in their two oudngs, will have to win against Bhutan by at least 4-0 margin hope that Bangladesh go down 1-0 against Sri Lanka for them to qualify. However, if Pakistan lose, Bangladesh would be through even before the diey take to the field.
Bangladesh coach Shantoo, though, wants to win the game against Sri Lanka and not considering any odier option.
"The players took too much pressure on them during the match against Pakistan. Tomorrow's |Tliesday| match is a new one and I think the boys will come right against Sri Lanka," said Shantoo.
"We are looking forward to winning the game and emerge as group champions to qualify for the semifinals and we believe that we have die ability to beat Sri Lanka.
"Though Sri Lanka are a good side, diey are not better than us despite having a couple of good players like Kasun Jayasuriya and EB Channa. We certainly will have some plans for them," said Bangladesh coach.
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Captain Aminul Haq also echoed the same sentiment and sees nothing to put Sri Lanka ahead of Bangladesh.
"No doubt they are a good side with two successive victories, but I don’t think they are better than us. They work hard on the Filed and their midfield and forward line is better compared to their defence and we will certainly keep these things in mind," said Aminul.
Bangladesh may be missing the services of their star striker Zahid Hasan Emily who sustained a muscle injury during the match against Pakistan.
Coach Shantoo hinted that Mithun Chowdhury or Abdul Baten Komol might join striker Enamul Haq if Emily is ruled out for the game.
Shantoo's counterpart Sri Lanka coach Sampath Perera is upbeat having already confirmed the semifinals and he is determined to emerge group champions with all win records.
"Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are equal in terms of strength and we will play to win against Bangladesh," said Perera, whose side are in good mood after thumbing Bhutan 6-0.
Perera said that he might bring two to three changes against Bangladesh intending to rest a few of the players before the semfinal clash.
The Sri Lankan coach was a bit worried though about the home crowd and believes that Bangladesh are ahead of Sri Lanka only in terms of home advantage.
For record’s sake, Bangla desh have won eight out of 10 matches they played against Sri Lanka, who, however, beat Bangladesh in their last two meetings.