Road To Quarter Finals

Alfaz keeps Sweden, Colombia on top

Alfaz, who played the highest number of international matches for Bangladesh, thinks Sweden look more formidable ahead of Switzerland and also predicts Colombia to topple 1966 winners England in last match of knockout phase

Bangladesh former captain Alfaz Ahmed received plenty of accolades during his 28-year-long football career. He is considered one of the most technically sound strikers the country has ever produced. Besides donning the national colours, Alfaz played for Mohammedan Sporting Club, Abahani Limited, Muktijoddha SKC, Sheikh Russell KC, Brothers Union, Rahmatganj, Arambagh at the club level.

The veteran striker represented Bangladesh in 105 matches—the highest number of appearances for a Bangladesh player—and scored 19-20 goals. He was named the best footballer in Asia for a month (August) in 1996. The last matches of the knockout phase will be held today at two different grounds. Switzerland will take on Sweden at 8pm at the St Petersburg Stadium and England will face Colombia at 12 midnight at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow.

Alfaz said that he kept Sweden and Colombia ahead for the quarter-final berths, but they would not make it to the final of the mega football event.

“I think Sweden are favourites more than Switzerland. The Swedes played fantastic football in the World Cup qualifiers and progressed to the 32-team tournament by crushing Italy. They kept their mark in the flagship event and cruised into the knockout stage by beating Mexico,” said Alfaz Ahmed.

“Sweden’s special advantage is their great physique. They’ve some match-winninsg performers like Sebastian Larsson. Switzerland, on the other hand, heavily depend on Xherdan Shaqiri,” Ahmed told The Independent.

“Sweden have no major injury scare in the squad. In contrast, Swiss defenders Fabian Schaer and Stephan Lichtsteiner will not be playing because of their injuries,” he noted.

In the day’s second match, where England will lock horns with Colombia, the Bangladesh ex-striker said the South American side was  likely to come out with flying colours. “England are yet to face any stern test. They were placed in a comparatively weaker group. Colombia, on the other hand, sailed into the knockout rounds after playing better football,” he said.

“Most of the players in this English team are young and less experienced at the international level. But Colombia have experienced and talented players like Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez,” he added. Alfaz said neither of the two teams could play decisive football at the showpiece event. “But if luck favours, it’d be a different ballgame,” he added.

Road To Quarter Finals

Alfaz keeps Sweden, Colombia on top

Alfaz, who played the highest number of international matches for Bangladesh, thinks Sweden look more formidable ahead of Switzerland and also predicts Colombia to topple 1966 winners England in last match of knockout phase

Bangladesh former captain Alfaz Ahmed received plenty of accolades during his 28-year-long football career. He is considered one of the most technically sound strikers the country has ever produced. Besides donning the national colours, Alfaz played for Mohammedan Sporting Club, Abahani Limited, Muktijoddha SKC, Sheikh Russell KC, Brothers Union, Rahmatganj, Arambagh at the club level. The veteran striker represented Bangladesh in 105 matchesthe highest number of appearances for a Bangladesh playerand scored 19-20 goals. He was named the best footballer in Asia for a month (August) in 1996. The last matches of the knockout phase will be held today at two different grounds. Switzerland will take on Sweden at 8pm at the St Petersburg Stadium and England will face Colombia at 12 midnight at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow. Alfaz said that he kept Sweden and Colombia ahead for the quarter-final berths, but they would not make it to the final of the mega football event. I think Sweden are favourites more than Switzerland. The Swedes played fantastic football in the World Cup qualifiers and progressed to the 32-team tournament by crushing Italy. They kept their mark in the flagship event and cruised into the knockout stage by beating Mexico, said Alfaz Ahmed. Swedens special advantage is their great physique. Theyve some match-winninsg performers like Sebastian Larsson. Switzerland, on the other hand, heavily depend on Xherdan Shaqiri, Ahmed told The Independent. Sweden have no major injury scare in the squad. In contrast, Swiss defenders Fabian Schaer and Stephan Lichtsteiner will not be playing because of their injuries, he noted. In the days second match, where England will lock horns with Colombia, the Bangladesh ex-striker said the South American side was likely to come out with flying colours. England are yet to face any stern test. They were placed in a comparatively weaker group. Colombia, on the other hand, sailed into the knockout rounds after playing better football, he said. Most of the players in this English team are young and less experienced at the international level. But Colombia have experienced and talented players like Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez, he added. Alfaz said neither of the two teams could play decisive football at the showpiece event. But if luck favours, itd be a different ballgame, he added.