Bangladesh football suffered a heavy setback after a 1-2 loss to Pakistan in the Saff Championship at the Armed Forces Stadium, Kathmandu yesterday saw them finish bottom of Group A and eliminated from the tournament. It was the second game in a row that Bangladesh conceded a goal in stoppage time.
The Bangladesh Football Federation had prepared its team with consideration, hiring the most comprehensive coaching staff of four Dutch professionals – head, assistant, training and goalkeeping coaches – that the nation’s football has seen in 10 years.
The fruits of the efforts at the Saff – two losses, one draw, two goals scored, five conceded and a bottom placed finish – can be termed “disappointing” euphemistically.
The physical fitness of the players was not what it should have been, the skill level was below par and most importantly, mental toughness was absent.
Against Nepal, the players were nervous in front of 20,000 hostile home fans. In the second match against India, they conceded an equalizer in stoppage time due to their own faults and in the third match against Pakistan, they ran out of steam in the dying minutes and succumbed to an unnecessary defeat. Choking in two matches indicate clearly that the players do not have the ideal temperament to compete at the international level.
In the match against India, skipper Mamunul Islam could have cleared the ball with his first touch and Sunil Chhetri would not have been able to come earn the free kick that led to a goal for India. What is more, the defence was poor and Chhetri’s free kick was left unobstructed by a wall that seemed to obey the referee’s instructions like schoolboys. The team even lacked the ability to retain ball possession when that was all it would have taken to gain a win – and what should have been a glorious victory was turned into an agonizing draw.
Against Pakistan yesterday, Bangladesh played well in the first half and the passing was efficient. However, the prime fault of being unable to score goals was evident. In the game’s very first minute, Emily’s flick was too weak to beat Pakistan’s goalie, even though the striker had time to take a full strength shot on the play.
Of the two goals scored by Bangladesh in the tournament, defender Mishu’s cracking right footed strike was a delight to watch. The other, a back header from Emily from a throw off Raihan was misjudged by the Pakistani goalkeeper as well as the tall defender in front of him. Overall, Bangladesh’s forward line lacked the venom to threaten the goal – how can the team possibly hope to win matches in such circumstances?
The defence was not much better. Both of Nepal’s goal against Bangladesh were a result of the poor positioning of the defenders. Anil Gurung’s header lacked power but no one was there to cleat it under the bar. What is more, it was evident that Bangladesh learnt nothing from the encounter as Pakistan’s captain Samar Ishaq scored in the same say yesterday – with a diving header from a corner, with the defenders standing still and doubling as spectators.
Also evident was the seeming desire of a number of players to avoid risking injury, and playing a “safe” game – perhaps due to the players transfer process being underway for the domestic football season. With so many weaknesses, it seems Bangladeshi football will continue to fall further and further unless strong steps are taken to remedy the shortcomings.