We dream of regaining the SAFF title: Topu

Experienced defender Topu Barman described Bangladesh's Group A at the SAFF Championship as a "tight" one, but remains optimistic about the hosts' chances of going all the way in the regional football showpiece on home soil in November.

Bangladesh have been drawn alongside overseas-player-heavy Sri Lanka, spirited Bhutan, and Nepal, whose participation remains uncertain as they are currently suspended by FIFA.

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"I have seen our group, which features Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Nepal. I don't know whether Nepal will join us, subject to their suspension being lifted by September 13," Topu told The Daily Star on Sunday.

The defender expects Sri Lanka to pose a stern challenge but believes Bangladesh can benefit from home advantage.

"However, the group is really tight. We haven't played Sri Lanka for a long time. They performed really well in the Asian Cup Qualifiers and have a team full of overseas-based players, except for the goalkeeper. I think Sri Lanka are a very good side.

"We played Bhutan recently, so we know them very well. Overall, we believe playing at home, in front of our own supporters, will be an advantage. We will also have another home match during the September window, so I am very positive about the championship," Topu added.

Bangladesh last faced Sri Lanka in November 2021 in the Mahinda Rajapaksa Trophy in Colombo, where they surrendered a lead to lose 2-1, missing out on a place in the final. Earlier that year, Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka 1-0 in the SAFF Championship in the Maldives.

Bangladesh have lost twice to Bhutan -- a 3-1 defeat in the AFC Asian Cup playoff in 2016 and a 1-0 loss in an international friendly in Thimphu in 2024 -- but won the most recent meeting 2-0 in 2025.

Topu also set his sights on the final, which Bangladesh last reached in the 2004 edition in Islamabad under Argentine coach Diego Cruciani.

"We have played good football in the Asian Cup Qualifiers recently and also beat San Marino under the new coach Thomas Dooley. More importantly, this group of players has become a united team, and we have a very good understanding among ourselves," Topu said.

The defender added that the squad is dreaming of reaching the SAFF Championship final for the first time in more than two decades and clinching their second title.

"Everyone understands how important the SAFF Championship is for the nation. Whenever we talk among ourselves, the SAFF Championship comes up, and we dream of regaining the title after our triumph in 2003. We are all positive, but we have to improve match by match. If we can do that, we have a real chance of winning the championship on home soil," he said.

This will be the fourth time Bangladesh host the regional championship in Dhaka. Bangladesh won their first and only SAFF Championship title when they hosted the tournament in 2003. Since then, the men in red and green have reached the semifinals in the 2009 edition in Dhaka, where they suffered a 1-0 defeat to India. In 2018 at home, despite winning their first two matches, Bangladesh were eliminated in the group stage after a 2-0 defeat to Nepal in their final group match.

With home support behind them and renewed optimism under Dooley, Bangladesh will hope Topu's confidence proves well-founded as they bid to end their long wait for the SAFF Championship title.