When Thomas Dooley first saw Japan-based Shuki Itofusa, the Bangladesh coach had one pressing question: could he play as a No 9?
Shuki nodded. With his limited English, however, he had not fully understood what Dooley was asking.
It did not take long for the coach to discover the answer. Shuki could impress on the wing, but he was not the specialist centre-forward Bangladesh desperately needed.
Another name was effectively crossed off Dooley’s list of potential No 9s.
For the German-American coach, finding that elusive striker has emerged as one of the biggest challenges as Bangladesh prepare for the Fifa Asean Cup in Indonesia and, beyond that, the Saff Championship on home soil in November.
It is hardly a new problem.
Bangladesh have produced goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and wingers, but a reliable international-level centre-forward has remained difficult to find.
Successive coaches have resorted to makeshift solutions, deploying false nines or moving players from other positions into the centre of attack.
Sajjad Hossain, Sumon Reza, Shahriar Emon, Rakib Hossain, Sheikh Morsalin and Rafiqul Islam have all been tried in attacking roles at different times.
None has yet established himself as the consistent goalscorer the national side has been searching for.
Even Sumon, a recognised striker in domestic football, struggled to translate his club form into a sustained impact for Bangladesh.
Dooley has inherited the same problem.
His first match in charge provided a striking illustration.
Bangladesh beat San Marino 2-1 in June, but both goals came from centre-back Topu Barman rather than a striker.
The search has continued during preparations for the Fifa Asean Cup.
Dooley has experimented with available attacking options during training and practice matches, including the game against Fortis, while assessing overseas-based footballers who could strengthen his squad.
“We need a ‘Number Nine,’ but finding one is extremely difficult,” Dooley said.
“I’ve spoken to a few candidates, but they can’t leave college to come and play. We are searching everywhere.”
Search goes overseas
Dooley’s search has extended well beyond Bangladesh.
One player on his radar is US-based Ronan Sullivan, who previously impressed for Bangladesh at youth level.
Louis Watson has also attracted interest, but neither is currently available.
Dooley acknowledged that having such players would make his task easier, but said recruiting overseas footballers of Bangladeshi descent was far more complicated than supporters might assume.
“Yes, it would have been much easier if Louis Watson and the Sullivan brothers had joined us. But they aren’t coming,” he said.
Academic commitments, club responsibilities and personal circumstances can all prevent overseas-based players from joining the national setup even when they are eligible and interested.
Shuki is among several overseas-based players Dooley has assessed during the current camp.
The Japan-based winger survived the latest squad cut as Dooley reduced the preliminary Asean Cup group, but his strengths appear to lie elsewhere rather than filling the vacancy at centre-forward.
The coach nevertheless has considerably greater quality available elsewhere in the squad, with overseas-based players adding competition across different positions.
Yet that has not resolved the question at the sharp end of the attack.
Bangladesh will travel to Indonesia for the Fifa Asean Cup, where they have been drawn alongside hosts Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
The tournament runs from September 24 to October 4 and will serve as a major part of their preparation for November’s Saff Championship in Dhaka.
For Dooley, Saff remains the bigger target. He has previously described the home championship as Bangladesh’s most important tournament.
And before it arrives, one question remains unanswered: who will score the goals?
If Dooley can finally find a genuine No 9, at home or among the Bangladeshi diaspora, the answer could significantly change Bangladesh’s prospects.
