Creating more than half a dozen chances, including two goal-line clearances, while conceding goals from half chances against the Asian champion; Bangladesh were presumably disappointed but couldn’t have expected a better summary from their toughest fixture in three years as head coach Jamie Day termed the performance the best he has seen since taking charge.
It was an occasion for the current group of national players to show what they are capable of against the top-class opponent and the home side put up enough examples on the pitch, regardless of the scoreline at the end of the day.
The two clearances on the goalline came late in the opening half but the men in red and green came up with an even better attitude in the latter half.
“Extremely proud of the boys. The attitude and work rate was fantastic. We got better chances in the second half and caused Qatar problems. It showed how far we have come to give Asian Cup winner a game. Disappointing to concede at the end but I can’t praise the boys hard enough the way they played,” said Day after the game.
Five U-23 players – Rahmat Mia, Biplo Ahmed, Mohammad Ibrahim, Riyadul Hasan and Saad Uddin – started the game against the 2022 World Cup host, while Mahbubur Rahman Sufil also shone bravely after coming off the bench.
A spirited Bangladesh football team fought bravely against the Asian champion Qatar but were left to rue a series of misfired chances in their 2-0 loss in the 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers at Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka Thursdayhttps://t.co/4VqDg69aXt#BFF
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) October 10, 2019
“This is the best performance since I have been in charge regardless of the result. Six U-23 players started so it showed we have good young players coming through. Obviously we have to keep that going to next game,” said Day.
“I expected it would be tough game but I believe the players performed beyond what I expected. It showed what they are capable of doing. We have good chances and it would be nice to get goals. We played fantastic and want to repeat that against India,” he added.
Day admitted that they could have done better with the two goals they conceded.
“We could do a little bit better conceding those two goals but I’m not going to focus on negatives when there were lots of positives,” said Day.
Captain Jamal Bhuiyan earlier said in the pre-match presser that it would be a dream for him to score a goal against Qatar.
The 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup joint qualifiers game between Bangladesh and Qatar changed the atmosphere of Bangabandhu National Stadium into a crowded, noisy and festive-like occasion.https://t.co/3LWgHFUD3o#BNS #FOOTBALL #BFF #BANGLADESH #BANGLADESHFOOTBALL #QATAR
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) October 10, 2019
The midfielder had two chances of his own in the either side of each half.
“I had bad touch on the ball, it was jumping before I shot the ball and the chance I got in the second half was denied by a good save by the Qatar defender,” Jamal explained.
“I’m extremely disappointed because we played very good. We had the chances and some were saved under the line. And I also had two of my own. Qatar didn’t have big, big chances like we thought they would have. We worked hard, played better but conceded two bad goals. But that’s football,” said Jamal.
Meanwhile, Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez was also content with the performance and attitude of his players on a pitch where they are not used to playing.
“It was a tough game. Playing on this weather is very difficult but the players showed big personality and were able to manage. Our main target was three points and this result will give us confidence (after the draw against India),” said Sanchez.
Bangladesh will travel to Kolkata to play their third Group E qualifier against India at Salt Lake Stadium Tuesday while Qatar will host Oman on the same day.
