An outcome of hard work, says jubilant footballers

Before the start of the crucial match against Bhutan in SAFF Championship, the Bangladesh dugout was vibrant, excited and motivated with the bench-players and coaching staff shaking hands with each other, unlike the previous two matches against Lebanon and Maldives.

With Bangladesh needing only a point against Bhutan to make it to the semifinals for the first time in 14 years, the excitement and euphoria all but evaporated after Bhutan had taken an early lead with a lightening performance. However, the men in red and green bounced back strongly to go for the lemon break with a 3-1 lead, thanks to goals from Rakib Hossain and Sheikh Morsalin. 

As the second half resumed and progressed, Rakib and midfielder Mohammad Sohel Rana, being substituted, watched the match from the gallery and screamed loudly for their on-field players to stop rampant Bhutan, who kept pressing to reduce the margin throughout the second half.

"People did not believe that we could qualify for the semifinals but we have done it. It is a good feeling that we will play in the semifinals. We will celebrate it today and then think of the match against Kuwait," captain Jamal Bhuiyan said at the mixed zone.

"Overall, we played well in the last three matches and we want to perform even better in the coming days," added Jamal.

Defender Tapu Barman saw the qualification as a positive thing for Bangladesh football.

"This achievement is the outcome of hard work because we have been working as a team. I think staying together has been an important factor, which is why we have qualified for the semifinals. We all are really happy with this achievement," Tapu said, adding that all the players are tired after playing three matches actually eight days and that they did not celebrate their achievement at the dressing room.

"We want to celebrate it by winning the semifinal," said the experienced defender. 

"We made the semifinals what we could not do in last 14 years. I am really happy to be a member of this squad. I think we will perform better in the semifinal because everyone is growing in confidence match by match," said Mohammad Sohel.