It was very much predicted that the Bangladesh team would concede defeat at the hands of the Asian Champions Qatar on Friday but the margin was too bigger (5-0) considering the performance in their last time meeting in Dhaka on October 10 in 2019.
But the performances and the result in the away match on December 4 was very much disappointing when the team didn’t look disciplined and organised.
It was expected that Bangladesh with the 184th berth in FIFA ranking would bow down to 69th ranking Qatar, the reigning champions of the Asia Cup and the hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2022. But result with big margin came as a shock to football fraternity.
About the 5-0 defeat of Bangladesh to Qatar in the away match, Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Chunnu, one of the great footballers of Bangladesh, thinks that the defeat is nothing unusual or unexpected but the margin was not acceptable.
Chunnu, when talking to The Independent on Saturday said, “In contrast of strength with Qatar, it is very much predicted result but I did not anticipate such a humiliating defeat. In this stage after experiencing some good times, I did not really look forward to such surrender,” said Chunnu.
“Qatar are making preparation targeting the World Cup 2022 as the host country. They are progressing rapidly winning the Asia Cup. They have been playing against some strong sides of Asia, Europe and Africa to prepare them perfectly, so the result was very much usual.”
About the reason of defeat Chunnu said, “The whole team looked disorganised, when trying to go for attacks, plenty of miss passes, aimless long passes from own half and lack of confidence downed them. Actually all the plans of coach were not executed perfectly.”
Saiful Bari Titu, one of the experienced coaches in Bangladesh almost echoed with Chunnu, saying that the defeat was not a shocking, as Qatar is far ahead in every respect.
“Qatar are a high quality team, there is a gulf of difference between Qatar and us. Individual skills, earn works although they were far ahead of us. You see they play preparation matches with strong countries of Asia, Europe and Africa, we play with Nepal, Sri Lanka and like others,” said Titu.
He said, “In fact Qatar were successful in their game plan against the defending and block strategy of Bangladesh.”
“I can tell, Bangladesh invite opponents leaving enough space, I think, Bangladesh had problem in midfield, the defending plan was good, but only compact is not always enough, man marking, identifying the danger man and not leave free anyone, these were mistakes, as I observed” he added.
“After conceding two goals long time Bangladesh played well but unfortunately conceding the penalty goal could not stop them,” said Titu, also former national star.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh team played very impressive games in their last three out of four WC Qualifiers against Afghanistan, India and Qatar deserved two wins. But the side were very much ill-fated, failing to win against Afghanistan and India despite playing with domination.
It may be mentioned here that there is a huge difference in all respects between Bangladesh and Qatar, one of the richest country in the world. They have been spending lot of money for the development for football. In last two and half year Qatar spent 1.7 billion dollars for the football.
A club of Qatar can contact with the all-time football great Diego Maradona as their coach whereas, there is no question to deal with such a coach for any of Bangladesh cubs or even BFF.
While Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) had to face huge financial trouble to bring Nepal to play preparation matches, Qatar played with South Korea, Costa Rica and some other European countries, invite Ghana in their home to play preparation matches.
Qatar train up their players from age level under foreign coaching staff round the year in modern training facilities. FIFA awarded the right to Qatar to host World Cup not only for their wealth but also their ability to play in the highest level of world football.
HM