The Bangladesh team had to surrender after 40 minutes in Kuwait. But fighting against Palestine in Dhaka, the last minute goal missed three points. There is no end of regret among all. Rakib-Fahim sat on the field stunned for a long time as the referee blew the final whistle at the King’s Arena. Coach Javier Cabrera entered the field himself to offer consolation. Today the players left the hotel and joined their respective clubs. The second phase of the Premier League is going to start from Friday. However, less than 24 hours later, fresh memories of the previous day’s defeat are still burning, especially forward Faisal Ahmed Fahim.
This forward of Sheikh Jamal could not use the most golden opportunity in the fourth match of their group in the World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers. With 44 minutes on the clock, the hosts squandered their best chance of the match. Fahim’s shot inside the box from Jamal’s through was blocked by Aguan goalkeeper. Right after that Rakib got the chance but could not use it.
A goal from that attack could have changed the picture of the match. So Fahim told the Bangla Tribune today on the sidelines of the recovery session back at the club, ‘I tried my best to set goals. Jamal Bhai’s pass saved two defenders, but Aguan did not even have a shot at the goalkeeper. But the goalkeeper blocked it with his feet. I thought the ball would touch the net. Where is it? But if it was a goal, there was an opportunity to leave the field with a smile.’
Bangladesh team played better in Dhaka than in Kuwait. Fought throughout the match. The defense has been handled well and the attack has gone well. Only a mistake came in the fifth minute of injury time.
Fahim said, ‘Actually, at that time, we could not imagine that the goal scorer would be able to score in such a position. Who knew it would happen at the last minute. After that, there was little chance to return to the match. The luck was bad so three points were lost. Otherwise why should I score a goal in the last minute after playing well in the whole match?
Despite losing the match with 1-0 goal, Fahim-Rakibra is getting praise from fans and coaches. After the game, coach Kabrera came to the field and consoled the students. Fahim said, ‘Coach said we have nothing to be disappointed about. We were able to play the way he told us to play. The opponent was 86 places ahead in the ranking. The coach looked positively at performing in their own field against them.
However, many people did not see Mehdi Hasan Shravan in place of goalkeeper Mitul Marma without dropping experienced Anisur Rahman Ziko. Especially after Shravan’s flight miss, the defense got a bit torn. After that, the goal had to be digested. For this, coach Javier, however, has already explained after the match that he thought Shravan was suitable at that time. However, local coaches expressed a different opinion.
Whatever the reason, Bangladesh have dropped three points and are one point from four matches in the World Cup qualifiers. The chances of getting to the next round are slim.
