Following the disappointing results of the national football team in the SAFF Championship, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Kazi Salahuddin found himself sleeping fitfully over the last few days. However, he kept faith in the existing squad while advocating some small changes.

Salahuddin was not ready to make any state-

ments about the performance of the national team as well as the four Dutch coaches despite repeated requests from the media, saying he wanted to first talk to coach Lodewijk de Kruifand the members of the National Teams Committee.

Instead, Salahuddin talked about the dejection he has felt since the helpless 0-2 loss to Nepal in the opening match in Nepal, which was followed by two a draw against India and a defeat to Pakistan.

"It was not a match (Nepal-Bangladesh). At one stage I felt pain in my heart and left my seat thinking that there was only 19 minutes left in the game but later I discovered that only the first half was completed when other guests came down to the refreshment room," said Salahuddin.

He believed Bangladesh played well against India and Pakistan but paid the price for a lapse in concentration in the dying moments.

"There is nothing to be disappointed about with the performance of the team. I think the current shape of the squad is not bad. If we can insert two to three fresh players in a few positions, we can see the difference. It is a question of time and I won’t give up hope," said Salahuddin, who is today leaving for Nepal to attend the SAFF Congress and to watch Wednesday's final at the Dasarath Stadium.