Coach Thomas Dooley Targets Clean Sweep in SAFF Championship

Published: October 29, 2026, 3:21 am

The Bangladesh national football team is conducting closed-door training at Dhaka’s National Stadium ahead of the SAFF Championship. Head coach Thomas Dooley is refining tactical plans to secure wins in every tournament fixture, with specific attention on achieving victories against Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

Addressing Team Performance and Pressure

When questioned about the possibility of defeating Bhutan in the absence of Hamza, Dooley emphasized that players are humans, not robots that can be programmed for perfect performance. He noted that athletes face significant psychological pressure, which can result in errors and conceded goals during matches. Consequently, he stated that the coach should not be held solely responsible for every individual mistake on the field.

Preparation and Player Fitness

Dooley remains optimistic, believing that fostering a positive environment and maintaining trust in his players will improve results. He expressed satisfaction with the team’s preparation, highlighting that the previous evening session under floodlights was particularly productive. However, the coaching staff is exercising caution due to injury concerns. Specifically, Dooley is closely monitoring Vishwanath, who is currently managing a hamstring issue.