The existing festive mood surrounding the SS Steel International Friendly match between the national Under-23 sides of Bangladesh and Nepal are expected to rise to a new height with the homecoming of three of Sylhet’s own - Wahed Ahmed, Toklis Ahmed and Yeamin Munna.
It will be the first international affair at the home town for these three youngsters and it’s needless to mention that the people of Sylhet, who are eagerly waiting, will give it all to be present at Sylhet Zila Stadium today for the last match of the friendly tournament.
Strikers are often the most talked about players from a team and it is not a surprise the two attacking prodigies – Wahed and Toklis – are very popular at their home town, while the newcomer in the side left-back Munna is also growing in terms of familiarity.
The trio was received with flower bouquets after their arrival in Sylhet on Wednesday and though it is possible the expectations from the Sylhetis will pile up the pressure on the three youngsters, Wahed was focused on winning the game and not getting carried away.
“Although we are playing on Sylhet soil, we will not play there as a Sylheti but as a Bangladeshi. We learned everything about football here for seven-eight years. We three now have one target and that is to win the game and complete our preparation for the Asian Games,” said Mohammedan striker Wahed who scored the highest goals among the local players in the last season of the premier league.
“The Sylhet people know about us through social media like facebook. They now have the chance to watch us play live from the gallery and I predict the stadium will be fully packed.”
Apart from a win, second on Wahed’s wish list is an international goal for himself on his home ground.
Sheikh Jamal forward Toklis last played in Sylhet during the Upazila Cup for Balaganj district and he too is very excited about playing here.
“It feels really good to see the people of Sylhet eagerly waiting for our game. The neighbours are asking my family when the game is and a huge interest has grown among them,” said Toklis.
“There will be no pressure, rather it will encourage us to perform better,” echoed Toklis as according to him the crowd number shall be two to three times bigger than it was in Dhaka.
Toklis, who grabbed attention during the Mayor’s Cup in 2009-10, also believed the current squad is stronger than the one which played in the Saff Championship and said, “The best performers are playing in this team along with eight players from the senior side. I personally believe this team is stronger than the Saff squad. The young players are giving more efforts and if this continues I hope we will leave the pitch as winners.”
Munna did not feature in the U-23s’ playing XI in the first game, but he too is excited about playing at his home ground. “I played a season in the league in Sylhet and I saw the enthusiasm of football among the people here. I want us to win the game for them,” he said.
