Lutfi confident as pakistan go in search of 4-0 win

Pakistan lost the first qualifier 3-0 in Bangladesh on June 29 and now it has to register a win with a margin of four goals to qualify for the next round against Lebanon.

“Yes, the playing conditions in Bangladesh were not suitable for Pakistan, but we will not be playing the next match with the memories of 3-0 win and take on the hosts with a new strategy and game plan,” Nicola said, while addressing a pre-match press conference here on Saturday.

He said his team was in better frame of mind and it would give its best to beat Pakistan to qualify for the second round. However, he said he was expecting a good fight from Pakistan as they would be playing under their home conditions.

Lutfi said his first target was to qualify for the next round and for that he wanted to win with 4-0 margin.

“To earn the target we will have to get an early lead and my players are eager to give their best as they will be playing to take revenge for the earlier defeat and I am hopeful we will get a better start tomorrow,” Lutfi said.

He said Pakistan had defeated Bangladesh twice under his coaching and he would earn his third victory against them on Sunday.

He said the playing conditions in Bangladesh were not conducive and he had lodged a complaint with the match commissioner after the match.

“It was not easy for us to kick the ball on wet surface because of rain. As the Bangladeshis are used to play under those conditions, they got the advantage but now we have better chances to earn victory,” he said.

Lutfi admitted that as rain was expected in Lahore on Sunday, the heavy ground conditions could help the visitors create problems for the home side.

However, he said earning 4-0 victory was a big challenge for Pakistan and for that his men would go all out. Visiting team captain Biplob Bhattacharjee said Pakistan was a strong team and they had the talent to bounce back.

To a question, he said the visitors would not try to go for a draw and play aggressive game. Pakistan captain, goalkeeper Jaffar Khan said Pakistan would also play attacking game, but with a packed defence.

He admitted his players would have to work really hard to claim 4-0 victory.

“Our boys are mentally prepared for this match, ignoring the bad memories of the past game and our first target is to earn 4-0 win,” Jaffar said.

He said the home conditions would help Pakistan.

Squads:
PAKISTAN:
Goalkeepers: Jaffer Khan (captain), Jehangir Khan.
Defenders: Sameer Ishaq, Alamgir Khan, Kamran Khan, Mohammad Ahmad, Atif Bashir, Zeeshan Rehman.

Midfielders: Faisal Iqbal (vice-captain), Manzoor Ahmad, Arif Hussain, Kaleemullah, Mehmood Khan, Hasnnain Abbas, Ahmad Akbar Khan.

Forwards: Arif Mehmood, Mohammad Qasim, Mohammad Ikram, Mohammad Rasool, Adnan Farooq.

Officials: Tariq Lutfi (coach), Nasir Ismail (assistant coach), Gohar Zaman (manager), Aslam Khan (goalkeeper coach), Dr Kamran Mehdi (physio), Irfan Khan Niazi (media manager).

BANGLADESH:
Goalkeepers: Biplob Bhattacharajee (captain), ND Nehal.
Defenders: Ariful Islam, Yousuf Ali Khan, Yameen Ahmed Chaudhry Munna, Mamun Khan, Razul Karim, Linkon.

Midfielders: Nasirul Islam Nasir, Attiqur Rehman Meshu, Zahid Hossain, Manunul Islam, Mithun Chowdhury, Shakil Ahmed, Abdul Baten Mojumder Komal, Noman Khan Raju.

Forwards: Jahid Hussain, Mohammad Shakawat Hossain Rony, Yousuf.

Officials: Coach: Nicola Alviscky (coach), Syed Hassan (manager), Fazal-ul-Rehman (chief de mission).

news covered by dawn sports