Nabib Newaj Jibon started playing at No 10, or as a second striker, for Abahani Limited from last season where he clicked well and finished the Bangladesh Premier League as the top-scorer among the locals, but it was only Sunday he featured in the new role in Bangladesh jersey.
It worked wonders as he scored his first international goal after more than three years.
Making his senior debut during the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan in 2015, Jibon scored his first goal against Sri Lanka in the first match of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup 2016.
After scoring another during a friendly against the United Arab Emirates in the same year, Jibon had suffered a goal drought since then.
Playing in a slightly different position than he used to before the 4-1 win over Bhutan Sunday, Jibon bagged his first brace in 22 internationals in the senior red and green jersey.
“The experience to play in the same position for the club helped me to adjust with the new role fast. It’s like playing as second striker where you have to defend 40% and attack 60%. Now I like playing in this new role,” said Jibon at the post-match conference.
Bangladesh suffered another agonizing heartbreak against India in a final as they lost in the grand finale of the Saff U-18 after an injury time goal in Kathmandu but their British coach Andrew Turner hailed the young booters for their valiant show.https://t.co/II5O2ohiAe#BFF
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) September 29, 2019
“It felt bad not to get goals for the national team for a long time but I was always confident that I would score one day. It feels really great to score. I will try to score more in the next games,” said Jibon, who also complained about the muddy pitch which made their job difficult to receive and deliver passes.
English head coach Jamie Day, who also began his speech mentioning “terrible conditions” of the pitch, praised Jibon and his attacking front.
“He played well but all the players who played up front have done really well, which helped Jibon. He played 10 and got some good pockets. I’m pleased that he scored and now he is getting chances and taking them. He has done himself no harm going forward in that position,” said Day.
Despite getting four goals, Day looked forward to be more solid in defence.
“Pleased that we scored some goals but disappointing not to keep the clean-sheet. Hopefully we can get another win against Bhutan in the next game, keep clean-sheet and get the confidence before playing Qatar,” Day added, alluding to their World Cup qualifier against the Qataris, scheduled to be held on October 10 at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.