SAFF C’ship: Ahead of semis, Bangladesh defender Sheuli chooses to stay back after mother’s death

Panaji: Bangladesh cancelled an early-morning training session after discovering that the mother of defender Sheuli Azim had passed away just hours earlier on Tuesday.
Preparing for the crucial SAFF Women’s Championship semifinal against Nepal on Wednesday, the defending champions were scheduled to train at Athletics Stadium in Bambolim. Several visiting journalists had reached the venue, only to learn that the camp is in mourning due to the death of Basana Azim, who is learned to have been unwell for a while.
The players were informed of the death by captain Maria Manda when they arrived in the dining hall for light breakfast prior to departure for training, about 25kms away from the team hotel in Utorda.
According to sources, the funeral took place later in the day and Sheuli chose to continue with the team since it was impossible to reach home before the last rites were to be performed.
“Sheuli is obviously quite an experienced member of the group and obviously very well respected, and liked, but from our preparation standpoint, I think we have to use the facilities that we've got such as the video analysis,” said Bangladesh coach Peter Butler. “The area around here, it's a refreshing one. We went for a walk in the afternoon. We haven't kicked a ball, but I don't think that would be to a disadvantage. It gives everybody little bit of time to realise sometimes, you know, life can be short and cruel.”
Bangladesh lost their concluding group-stage clash against India and are now looking to overcome a challenge from higher-ranked Nepal to make it to the final.
“I said to the girls that the most important thing is to develop and approach it with a positive mindset. It's all about turning sadness, and the negative energy, into positive one. That's not easy, but I really believe we have a group of girls who are more than capable of going out there and putting in a good performance. Most importantly, getting the required result, which is a win,” said Butler.
Bangladesh have won the last two editions of the SAFF Championship and are aiming for a hat-trick of titles in Goa.