Bangladesh captain Topu Barman is found determine to make the most of the opportunity to play the SAFF Championship at home, pledging to give his best and inspire his teammates to achieve the desired result.

Bangladesh will start their SAFF Championship campaign when they face Bhutan in their opening group match scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) at National Stadium.

“After 2018, we are getting another opportunity to play the SAFF Championship in Dhaka. I will give my best and try to inspire the team,” said Topu at a pre-match press conference at a city hotel today (Wednesday).

Bangladesh, who won the SAFF Championship only once, in 2003, are now eyeing a second regional crown after a gap of twenty three years. The experienced defender believes the current squad has the potential to end the long wait.

“This time, we have a good chance of becoming champions. We want to turn that possibility into reality,” said the defender.

The hosts, however, will begin their campaign without key midfielder Hamza Choudhury, who will miss Thursday’s opening match against Bhutan. Hamza is expected to join the squad before Bangladesh’s second group match against Sri Lanka.

Topu admitted that Hamza’s absence would be felt but stressed the importance of securing a positive result before the midfielder’s arrival.

“We will certainly miss Hamza tomorrow. We want to make a good start against Bhutan and provide him with a positive platform so that he can help take the team further after joining us,” the Bangladesh captain said.

The dependable defender also called on supporters to extend their wholehearted backing as Bangladesh return to host the regional championship after eight years.

Topu admitted that the road ahead would not be easy but expressed confidence in the team’s ability to make a positive start against Bhutan.

Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Topu nevertheless expressed confidence in the team’s ability to make a positive start against Bhutan.

Head coach Thomas Dooley said the team had made extensive preparations for the regional competition and expressed confidence in producing a good performance.

“We are preparing, we have confidence that we can do well, and we are trying to win this,” Dooley told reporters, stressing the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and fighting until the final whistle.

The German-American coach also acknowledged the significance of playing in front of home supporters and said the team would focus on giving its best throughout the tournament.