Bangladesh’s 2-1 defeat to Singapore in the Asian Cup Qualifiers wasn’t just a defeat -- it was a missed opportunity to build something better with the right tools finally in hand. And that’s exactly what former striker and Mohammedan’s league-winning coach Alfaz Ahmed is talking about: we finally have the parts, but we don’t know how to assemble the machine.
Despite a 2-0 defeat to Singapore in their Asian Cup Qualifiers encounter at the National Stadium on Tuesday, Bangladesh head coach Javier Cabrera insisted his side was the better team and described the result as deeply disappointing.
The Daily Star’s Ekush Tapadar, Anisur Rahman, and Atique Anam delve into Bangladesh’s prospects in this much-anticipated encounter, examine the influence of these high-profile players on the national team and address the persistent issues crippling the country's domestic football.
Bangladesh football team head coach Javier Cabrera said that he wants to present a victory against Singapore in their upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers game as an Eid gift to the nation.
A few expatriates have made their way into Bangladesh football in recent times, with Canada-based Shamit Shome being the latest addition after England-based Hamza Choudhury, Fahamedul Islam from Italy, Finland-based Tarik Kazi, and Denmark-based Jamal Bhuiyan.
The Bangladesh national football team is set to begin preparations from Saturday for two upcoming international fixtures, with 26 players joining camp at the Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka.
The national team received a boost with the addition of midfielder Shamit Shome, who joins star player Hamza Choudhury in the middle of the park.
Bangladesh’s domestic competitions are not producing forwards who steal the spotlight in big matches. Goals in lopsided fixtures, played in front of empty stands, do little to prepare players for the intensity of international football.
Jamal Bhuiyan, the most-capped player in Bangladesh’s history, is slowly becoming a peripheral figure in the team despite being the captain. To know his views on this issue and his overall plans in football, The Daily Star's Anisur Rahman and Atique Anam caught up with the Denmark-born midfielder. Following are the excerpts of the interview.
Bangladesh made two changes to the playing eleven against Maldives, bringing on Rakib Hossain and Mohammad Ridoy in place of Suman Reza and Mojibur Rahman Jony.
Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera appeared to be taking a contemplative walk around the artificial turf at the Karnataka State Association Stadium in Bengaluru with his head bowed and his hands behind his back before starting the final preparations for today's SAFF Championship match against Maldives.
Javier Cabrera believes the heartbreaking defeat against Lebanon will only make his side stronger.
Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera was disappointed with the 2-0 loss against Lebanon but expressed pride in the fight his charges showed against a much superior side in a SAFF Championship encounter at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru yesterday.
"Obviously, we are happy with the win. But in terms of ball control and overall competency, we must improve," Cabrera said after the game
Bangladesh head coach Javier Cabrera will make his last attempt to figure out the right combination and fine-tune playing eleven before the upcoming SAFF Championship when his charges take on hosts Cambodia in Phnom Penh today.
Spanish coach Javier Cabrera yesterday vowed to take Bangladesh to the semifinals of the upcoming SAFF Championship after surprisingly dropping striker Eleta Kingsley and in-form forward Sazzad Hossain as he announced his final 23-member squad for the regional football extravaganza, set to begin from June 21 in Bengaluru.
As Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera set his sights on the semifinal berth of comparatively tough SAFF Championship on the first day of the training session yesterday, the decades-long goal-scoring problem of the national football team is expected to play in the mind of the Spaniard.
Bashundhara Kings midfielder Sheikh Morsalin and Mohammedan forward Sazzad Hossen were drafted in place of Bashundhara's injured duo – Matin Mia and Saad Uddin. Sazzad has already represented Bangladesh but young Morsalin is yet to wear the red and green jersey
Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera took a positive view of the draw for the upcoming SAFF Championship and said he wants to grab the opportunity to advance to the semifinals of the regional football event, which is scheduled for June 21 to July 4 in Bengaluru, India.
