“It was hard to believe that when an effort of striker Nabib Newaz Jibon into an open net was saved by an Indian defender a moment before to cross the goal-line, which could change the fate of the game in favour of Bangladesh. Really we were ill-fated not having the win which Bangladesh deserved,” said Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Chunnu about the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying match against India.   

Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Chunnu, one of the all time national stars of Bangladesh, who faced their Indian counterparts in different competitions of AFC and FIFA for several times, were also victims of misfortunes not having win despite performed better.

Chunnu when sharing with The Independent about his feelings and observation overall the match between Bangladesh and India held on Tuesday at the Yuba Bharati Stadium, Salt Lake, Kolkata, said, “I can tell, it was just simply bad luck not to win, Bangladesh undoubtedly deserved the victory.”

“You can find out two reasons, one, luck did not favour us and number two, obviously I can say referring  was under a big question, I don’t think some decisions of the referee were right judgment,” said Chunnu.

Chunnu, who was really very disappointed with the result as Bangladesh team despite having better scoring chances were deprived of grabbing full points, said, “When I gave you prediction before the day of the match, I told you some of my experiences of playing career, specially, whenever we played against India, just believe it maximum times we played better in whole 90 minutes time but finally suffered defeats.”

“It was really very much incredible, always we had to see the disaster just at the last moments before the final whistle when India scored from a half chance, which were very ridiculous,” said Chunnu.

“Any way I told you my pre-match prediction that the chances were 50-50, many of peoples can consider India are far ahead of us, they (India) are 83 times better (104 and 187) than us in FIFA ranking, but I told you, when Bangladesh and India play then ranking does not work, it is always a different ball game, ranking does not matter, matter is performance on the ground and luck,” Chunnu revealed.

“You see, I agree India played well, but who opened better chances? At the very third minute, referee just deprived Bangladesh from penalty, when Ibrahim entered inside the danger are one of their defender just made a bad tackle which was a clear penalty offense but unfortunately referee overlooked it.”

“If Bangladesh would get an early goal, a good effort from Ibrahim would not denied by the cross piece and after taking 1-0 first half lead, if there would not a miracle save of an open net attempt from Jibon, just think what would be the scenario? As a player I can say, trailing by 0-2 or 0-3, India would become shaky and would lose their temper and courage,” said Chuunu.

“However, I thank coach Jamie Day, who motivated much the boys, teaches how to fight, how to keep the fitness to play with full stamina, all the best for future,” said Chuunu.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh team returned home yesterday evening when vice-president of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag received the team.