ISLAMABAD: Pakistan head coach Nolberto Solano has set qualification for the semi-finals of the upcoming SAFF Championship as his immediate target, expressing confidence in the squad while stressing the importance of collective effort, fitness and the development of local talent.
Speaking at a press conference at a local hotel here on Monday evening, Solano acknowledged the challenges ahead but said Pakistan were approaching the competition with confidence and determination.
‘Every competition is really tough, so we are looking forward to this challenge. We are trying tobuild a very strong side and I don’t think we are too far away. We won in Maldives, we understand the level of competition, and we also played in Indonesia. We know what we have to do,’ he said.
The 15th edition of the SAFF Championship will be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from Nov 5 to 17. Pakistan have been drawn in Group ‘B’ alongside India and Maldives, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the semi-finals.
Solano said his immediate focus was on securing a place in the last four, describing Pakistan’s opening two fixtures as crucial.
‘We go step by step. We have a big game against India on Thursday, followed by Maldives.
Our focus is on these two matchesand qualifying for the semi-finals.
We have to think of every game as a final. The first final is against India, and the second final is against Maldives,’ he said.
On the significance of the Pakistan-India fixture, Solano compared the rivalry with that between Peru and Chile.
‘Peru-Chile is just like Pakistan-India. It has the same intensity. I understand what these games mean to the fans. We want to please the people because we know what it means to them. These games are special, and that itself is motivation,’ he said.
The coach stressed that success would depend on collective effort rather than individual performances.
‘We have to be together. It is notan individual game; it is a collective game. When we attack and when we defend, we have to do it together,’ he said.
Pakistan will initially be without their overseas-based players as the tournament falls outside the FIFA international match window.
However, Solano said the absence of diaspora players would not serve as an excuse, addingthat he had confidence in the available local talent.
‘At the beginning of this competition, we are not allowed to bring our diaspora players because it is not being organised during the FIFA window. But we are using local boys and looking at the talent that exists here. No excuses. We believe in our boys,’ he said.
He added that the national teamremained open to players who possessed the required ability and attitude.
‘The door is open to any player with talent and the right mentality. Slowly, slowly, we are building our talent pool,’ he said.
Discussing Pakistan’s defensive approach, Solano said the priority was to build a solid unit and maintain concentration throughout the match. Referring to the team’s performance at the FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia earlier this year, he said the 4-0 defeat against Thailand had highlighted the cost of lapses in concentration.
Pakistan later drew 2-2 with the Philippines.
‘We try to be a solid team first.
Our strategy is not to concede goals because our strongest play-ers are all defenders. At the FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia, we lost 4-0 against Thailand. That taught us that we need to focus for all 90 minutes because one moment of losing concentration can be very expensive,’ he said.
Solano welcomed plans to introduce a professional football league in Pakistan next year, describing it as an important step towards improving players’ fitness and preparation.
Pakistan will open their SAFF Championship campaign against arch-rivals India at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Thursday before taking on Maldives. Solano said the team would approach both matches as must-win encounters in its bid to reach the semifinals.