ZCZC
BSP-18
FOOTBALL-PALESTINE-BURUNDI-PREVIEW
Palestine lock-horn Burundi in Bangabandhu Gold Cup final tomorrow
DHAKA, Jan 24, 2020 (BSS)- Defending champions Palestine will take on title
contender Burundi in the final of sixth edition of Bangabandhu Gold Cup
International Football tournament scheduled to be held tomorrow (Saturday) at
Bangabandhu National Stadium here.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to present in the final as the
chief guest and hand over the trophy to the winner team.
State-owned Bangladesh Television and private satellite channel Rtv will
telecast the final live while Bangladesh Betar will provide live commentary
of the match that kicks off at 4 pm.
In the pre-final press conference held on Friday at the conference room of
Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Bhaban, both the finalists optimistic on
winning the trophy.
Palestine head coach Makram Baboub expressed his high hope on winning the
tournament title against Burundi by saying that they have come in Bangladesh
to retain the trophy.
“Final match will be different…We are ready for the match… We have come
here to retain the trophy,” said Makram.
He said Burundi is good team having skilled players and their striking
position is good but we have also the good defence.
Replying to a question Makram said, “It’s easy to say top but difficult to
be a top and we we’ll try our best in the final.”
Burundi showed skilled football all through the tournament and their in-
form young forward Jospin Nshimirimana was superb with ball scoring seven
goals in the tournament so far. However, Palestine head coach trickily did
not reveal their plan to restrict Jospin in the final when he was asked if
they have any plan to restrict the young forward.
Asked to comment which team will win the final, Makram said both teams have
fifty-fifty chance.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well as political turmoil is common
issues in Palestine and Makram thinks that if his team able to win the
Bangabandhu Gold Cup trophy it would make happy the Palestine people.
There is no card or injury problem in the team, he informed.
Palestine key player Musav Abu Salem also echoed the same statement by
saying that they have come in Bangladesh to retain the tournament title. On
the other hand, Burundi head coach Joslin Bipfecbusa also expressed his
determination to clinch the tournament trophy.
He said they did not win any trophy in the final and it would be the first
one if they able to win the Bangabandhu Gold Cup title against Palestine.
Asked which team is favorite in the final, the Burundi head coach said the
team which would play best, would win the tournament trophy.
Joslin also thanked the Bangladesh’s people for their bounty support
during the tournament that helped his side to reach in the final.
Burundi team’s captain Tambwe Amissi said they reached the final for
playing football in constancy and also thanked the local crowds as they
showed their good character.
The trophy of the tournament was also unveiled at the stage of the BFF
premise after the press conference.
BSS/ASG/SG/SSS/1716 hrs