It was assumed rightfully that Anisur Rahman Zico would shine in national team jersey after his splendid display in the AFC Cup early this year, and the Bangladesh goalkeeper took little time to prove his class against Qatar Friday.
The 23-year old only made his senior debut against Nepal during the first Fifa friendly against Nepal on November 13 at Bangabandhu National Stadium.
He missed the second and final Nepal friendly but has been in genuine contention since then.
Zico kept the clean-sheet with no big threat from the Himalayan opponent but when it came to the Asian champion and his debut in the World Cup and Asian Cup joint qualification stage, the cunning Bashundhara Kings custodian stood up to the occasion.
He made as many as 10 saves during the 5-0 defeat and had nothing much to do for the first four goals.
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Posted by Sports Tribune on Saturday, 5 December 2020
At least five saves were outstanding and some of them were termed as “world class” and “almost goals” by the coaches of both the teams.
“I was right picking Zico,” said Bangladesh head coach Jamie Day, justifying his decision not to pick regular first-choice Ashraful Islam Rana.
He continued, “He has been fantastic with four or three world class saves. His international debut [official competition] and played like this. He is unbelievable.”
Just after conceding the opening goal through a deflected shot where he could only watch helplessly, Zico’s diving save against Ahmed Alaa’s glancing header was his first contribution, before he denied Akram Afif superbly with the right leg just after the half-hour mark.
The second goal from Akram a minute later curving through to the top right corner gave him no chance.
Zico carried on with his heroics after the break.
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Posted by Sports Tribune on Saturday, 5 December 2020
If a difficult one-on-one save for the cost of a corner in the 54th minute followed by a flying save to the right with his left hand to frustrate Almoez Ali in the 63rd minute were not enough, there was a spectacular flier to tip away a powerful strike in the span of only two minutes.
The youngster caught the limelight for three heroic penalty saves against Maldives club Maziya Sports and Recreation Club during the AFC Cup 2020 group stage fixture on March 12.
He almost saved Almoez’s penalty for the third goal by diving towards the right direction but could only had a faint touch on the ball.
He was on the opposite direction and left with no option for the fourth goal when Bangladesh defence was torn into pieces inside the d-box.
Qatar coach Felix Sanchez said he thought they could score more and showed no stinginess to praise the Bangladesh star on the pitch.
The Spaniard praised, “He made two-three saves which were ‘almost goals’.”