‘Best in region’ Zico oozes self-belief

Bangladesh goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico was pleasantly surprised to have won the best goalkeeper award despite his team being eliminated from the semifinals of the recently concluded SAFF Championship.

However, the Bashundhara Kings goalkeeper -- who was excellent throughout the eight-team competition as Bangladesh played in the last four of the regional competition for the first time in 14 years -- said he was confident of bagging the award had Bangladesh qualified for the final of the competition.

"The other day, I was telling someone I would win the trophy if Bangladesh were in the final," Zico told The Daily Star over phone last night.

"But I was told that I won the trophy on Tuesday night. I felt really good about it. Even since I started playing at the top level, I had the belief that I would one day become the best in this region. I have always looked up to Aminul (Haque) bhai and always wanted to be the best like him," said Zico, who idolises international goalkeepers like Manuel Neuer and Emiliano Martinez.

Zico made some incredible saves as Bangladesh took the semifinal against Kuwait deep into extra time, only to lose by the odd goal deep on the stroke of extra-time interval. Zico, who has made countless saves from the spot in domestic football, felt he could have carried Bangladesh to the final had the match gone into penalties.

"I have made quite a few saves from penalties in domestic football," the man from Cox's Bazar said. "So, I had the belief that I could save two or three shots had the match proceeded to a shootout."

There have been some criticism, especially on social media, regarding the form and fitness of the 25-year-old goalkeeper in recent times. Zico's performance and the accolade has apparently silenced all the critics, for the time being. The Bangladesh No. 1, though, is not distracted by those criticisms as he said his target is to take Bangladesh higher.

"I've always wanted to see Bangladesh winning the SAFF title. It didn't happen this time but hopefully we will play in the final next time," Zico added.

While Bangladesh earned huge praise from all quarters for their valiant performance, the team did not get the deserving reception. To make matters worse, they were denied the opportunity to say hello to Martinez at the airport as the Argentine departed for Kolkata on Sunday.

"I don't know what the issues regarding this but being footballers and not having the chance to talk with such a goalkeeper like Emiliano is certainly a matter of regret," Zico concluded.