When all things began to look bleak for South Asian football, Pakistan has come back from two goals down to hold Philippines, 63 ranks ahead, at the ongoing ASEAN Cup.
The commentators were raving about Pakistan’s performance, which had ‘never say die’ written on it. Pakistan, at this point, can say they will not go back empty handed.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, squandered the chance they had against Singapore, losing by a solitary goal, failing to capitalize on 11 corners. The boys in red and green played cohesively, their passes were better in the last game but what’s the point in ‘bhalo khele here jaoa’ (losing despite playing well)!
In fact, the failure to make use of the corners will come back to haunt the team. Once more, the lamentable state of striking becomes evident.
Bangladesh have a history of winning a famous match against Indonesia in Dhaka in 1985 during the 1986 World Cup qualifiers. Back then, the hosts conceded the first goal but in the last quarter, Bangladesh scored twice, within six minutes, to seal a memorable victory.
Kaiser Hamid scored with a header at the 75th minute while Chunnu doubled the tally with a spectacular free kick at the 81st minute.
Forty years later, Bangladesh is facing Indonesia once more and the coach had already said before leaving Dhaka that his side was taking part to gain experience.
In fact, in 1985, Bangladesh also faced Thailand in the same group and while the boys lost in Bangkok by thee goals to nil, in Dhaka, they won 1-0.
Both these South-East Asian sides have made noticeable progress as we have only stagnated.
In 1985, the two back-to-back wins were celebrated by the whole nation as a forward momentum of the game with weekly Bichitra magazine running a special story, praising the players and their performance.
It breaks our heart to see that almost four decades later, a coach has to look at matches against South-East Asian sides and caution us that since they are miles ahead, we should not expect victory.
One wonders how the players of the 1985 team feel when the teams they beat are presented as far superior or insurmountable?
The striker crisis for Bangladesh has been acute for about a decade with the team scoring, often by sheer luck, through a variety of players from different positions.
Add to that another recent headache: weakness under the bar.
Bangladesh had always been lucky with goal-keepers; Santu, Laal Mohammad, Mohsin, Kanan, Ponir, Selim, Atiq, Aminul, Nizam, Biplob, Rana, Zico epitomized reliability and trust.
However, in recent times, Bangladesh conceded goals due to sheer keeper blunder or negligence.
Appalling striking ability coupled with goal-keeping errors – now you tell me what can a team do when it’s blighted in two crucial areas?
Yet, we hope!
We hope because Bangladesh have, in the past, turned around in the face of odds.
Pakistan have taken a point from Philippines, scoring twice, which will send a signal to Bangladesh looking to win the SAFF tournament in Dhaka, next November.
Mark my words: all South Asian sides will be coming to win the trophy and if Bangladesh does not improve their scoring ability, the much elusive regional cup will be taken by someone else.
Anyway, for the time being, let’s concentrate on Indonesia.
They are a tough opponent; therefore, the match will be a massive challenge.
If Pakistan can take a point from a team 63 spots ahead then why can’t we?
