DHAKA, Sept 24, 2025 (BSS)- Bangladesh U-17 national football team head coach Golam Rabbani Choton said he expects a tough performance from his boys, who are in good confidence ahead of their first semi-final match against 
Pakistan.
 
"Semi-final match is always challenging since this is the road to the finals 
... Pakistan is physically superior and play challenging football but our 
boys preparation, planning and confidence level is good and they must take to 
the field to win the semi-final," said Choton through a video message today 
(Wednesday). 

Bangladesh will take on Pakistan in first semifinal match of the SAFF U-17 
Championship scheduled to be held at Racecourse ground in Colombo, Sri Lanka 
tomorrow (Thursday).

"Pakistan always wants to play speedy football having the good set piece but 
we want to dominate the midfield applying high press football, he added.

The head coach said the boys are fully motivated and fit and he hoped that 
the boys would give their hundred percent effort to win the match.  

Bangladesh skipper Nazmul Huda Faisal firmly said they would give their 
hundred percent efforts in the semi-final. 

"The challenge is big for us as our opponent is Pakistan ... semi-final is 
always exciting and have a different feeling. Pakistan qualified in the semi-
final by showing good brand of football. We have also qualified semi-final as 
group top and try to give our best in the match."

"We know what we'll have to do.... we'll go to the field to fulfill the 
expectation of our nation," he added.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh team completed their final training session today 
(Wednesday) at the city football ground ahead of the clash.