Poor Football show
The Bangladesh have returned from Kerala, India with two wins and one loss in the 11th edition of the SAFF Football championship to the dismay of the whole nation. They scored four goals and conceded seven, which we did not expect at all. Bangladesh lost to Afghanistan 0-4, Maldives 1-3 and then beat Bhutan 3-1. A month ago, Bangladesh cut a very sorry figure in an international club cup tournament in China, and the near ending World Cup and the Asian Cup qualifiers.
But Afghanistan, a Central Asian country, shines despite odor of gunpowder everywhere round the year. The team’s German coach says, I am here with life in hand. I am here because the Afghans have potentialities to win the Asian Cup someday or the other. The defending champions outclassed Bangladesh, Bhutan and Maldives 4-0, 3-0 and 4-1 respectively.
To the contrary, the Bangladesh coach surprisingly says that he will continue his career with the national team if the football federation wants. Critics say that he had no plan and strategy. He had no idea about the strength of the opponents, nor had he any homework.
The tournament has reached the semifinal stage with the hosts India taking on Maldives, while hot favourites Afghanistan meeting vulnerable Sri Lanka on Thursday.
The visiting teams’ officials have accused Indian Football Federation of utter mismanagement and negligence, exposing the federation officials’ debility to organize any international tournament like this. India should not be selected to host any tournament like this.
Asma Banu
Rajshahi
