Why it won’t be a penalty? -Mamunul
Bangladesh skipper Mamunul Islam made his long awaited comeback to the field in the 80th minute of the match against India yesterday and his arrival raised the spirit of team Bangladesh, who on the attack in the last 10 minutes of the game. His first two touches on the balls were corner kicks and the second one led to Mishu scoring a goal. Nonetheless, Mamun was left speechless at the end of the match after a controversial last minute free kick saw India level the game.
“In fact Sunil Chettry stumbled upon me .I fell down inside the box. Why the referee called for a free kick outside the box? Instead he would have awarded a penalty, I am stunned with the decision. It was a biased one,” said Mamunul, who took the field with some pain in his right foot and took two painkilling injections after the match.
Curiously, head coach Lodewijk de Kruif did not stand by the side line during the game as is usually the case for coaches and it was left to assistant coach Rene Koster to guide the team from just outside the field of play. Perhaps de Kruif deviated from the norm as a mark of respective for his counterpart and former teacher – Indian coach WimKoevermans. Another notable fact was that de Kruif and Koevermans were both attired in a light coloured shit and black trousers.
10% attendance only
The picturesque Armed Forces Stadium of Halchowk that hosted the match between Bangladesh and India match only attracted about 300 spectators and the stands were mostly covered by uniformed police personnel. While the pitch was good, there was no press box and the press were seated at the far corner of the tin shed stands and the internet connection was sub-par again.
Though the Saff Championship is supposed to be of international standard, the facilities fell short of what is expected. The stadium is located in a deep restricted area and despite ticket prices being relatively cheap – NR 300-700 – attendance was poor.
