The pre-mature death of Waly Faisal’s son cast a shadow of sorrow over Abahani Limited and the full team took time to get out of it, disclosed their coach Amalesh Sen after their win over Feni Soccer in the Walton Federation Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
His Gambian counterpart Omar K Sise, however, blamed the refereeing for the defeat and also said his players fought well with a preparation of only ten days.
“The whole team was upset and the practice sessions were also a little dull. The absence of Waly and later the injury of Sujon saw the defence get weakened, we could not play the first-half as per the expectations, but we bounced back in the second-half to win the match,” said Amalesh.
However, Amalesh, who would be in the helm till Iranian Ali Akbar Parmoslemi arrives, was not happy with the performance. “Overall the performance was not satisfactory, ahead of the crucial tie against Sheikh Jamal we have to work hard, especially in the forward line,” thought Amalesh.
The Abahani coach said the team would be bolstered with the arrival of another Brazilian Andre Luis De Souza, who is recovering from Dengue fever.
Atikur Rahman Mishu, the stand-in skipper was a happy man to score off a free-kick, a rare happening in Dhaka football. “We have practiced the free-kicks and with the angle a convenient one, I was confident to score the goal and I did it,” said Mishu.
Omar K Sise praised his players for putting a good show. “My players fared well, but Wasiou and Bidyut were not fully fit. I instructed Rasel to mark the Brazilian player of Abahani and he put a good show, we played well in the first-half, but in the second-half the refereeing was not up-to the mark. It was bowed towards a team, I look forward to play better football in the league working hard in our preparations towards it,” said the Gambian.
