Bangladesh Football in SAFF 2005

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Three new faces in SAFF squad
Cruciani picks final 20
Dec, 04

Argentine coach Diego Cruciani will take six strikers to Pakistan in Bangladesh's defence of the SAFF Championship which kicks off in Karachi four days later.

The Bangladesh national coach, who delayed the announcement of the final squad for minor injury problems, finalised his 20-member team for the eight-nation meet over Thursday's dinner at the BKSP.

Expectedly, fullback Wali Faisal, midfielder Faisal Mahmud and goalkeeper Atiqul Islam Tarek were dropped but Brothers Union's young forward Zahid Hossain Emily was given the opportunity to make his national debut. Midfielder Asad was the other player dropped from the 24-member list.

Emily, who has scored some wonderful goals for the Premier League champions, is the youngest member of the squad that includes mostly tested players. Moha-mmedan's Arman Aziz and Brothers' Abul Hossain are the other freshmen.

According to the team management, the in-form marksman is capable of beating any of Cruciani's favourite striking pair, Farhad and Kanchan. Shahajuddin Tipu, whose fabulous strike against India in the 1999 SAF Games semifinal helped Bangladesh ultimately win the gold medal, has returned to the national fold after five years for his experience and big-match temperament. Alfaz and Ujjal are the other two specialist attackers in the side but Cruciani has other jobs for them.

The Argentine, who took charge of the national team about two months earlier, prefers a 4-3-1-2 line-up and Alfaz and Ujjal fit in as the role of a 'free-midfielder'. In the first phase of training, he started with Ujjal but Alfaz is now his first choice in the crucial attacking midfielder position with Arman, Joy and Matiur Munna beside the veteran.

Skipper Joy, however, remains an injury concern. The defensive midfielder is nursing a hurt knee and is under treatment.

Jubair Nipu, who has been assisting Cruciani as local expert, informed yesterday that Joy has gone through ultrasonogram to confirm his injury is not serious.

"It would have been better if we could give him a week's rest for full cure but with the tournament nearing, it's not possible. The captain is very important," assistant coach Nipu said.

There were good news too as Rajani, who captained Bangladesh to the SAFF Championship triumph at home three years ago, has returned to his best and will partner Sujan in the central defence.

"Sujan is the best defender we have and Rajani has put behind his mental problems to return to form," added Nipu.

"Hassan Al Mamun and Titu are our first-choice fullbacks and we have kept Parvez Babu as their backup. He was chosen ahead of Wali because of his experience. Titu can play at both sides so we think we are covered in this area," Nipu said adding that Titu and Hassan have both recovered from minor injuries.

"Overall, the team's fitness level is satisfactory. They are gradually improving and it was proved after beating Abahani 3-2 after falling two goals behind (in the exhibition match). We just made the delay to declare the team to be certain about every one's condition."

After spending a day's break on Friday, the team will resume training today at BKSP. They will have their final training session at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on December 5.

Holders Bangladesh, pitted against Bhutan, Nepal and India in Group-A, leave Dhaka on December 6. They will begin their campaign against underdogs Bhutan on December 8.

SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Aminul Haque, Biplab Bhattachariya; Defenders: Faisal Ahmed, Mohammad Sujan, Rajani Kanta Barman, Parvez Babu, Firoz Mahmud Titu, Nazrul Islam, Hassan Al Mamun; Midfielders: Arif Khan Joy (captain), Arman Aziz, Arman Mia, Matiur Munna, Abul Hossain; Forwards: Alfaz Ahmed, Mehdi Hasan Ujjal, Ariful Kabir Farhad, Shahajuddin Tipu, Rokonuzzaman Kanchan and Zahid Hossain Emily.

- The Daily Star

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Mission retain title
SAFF champions leave for Pakistan today
Dec, 06


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Bangladesh football team leaves for Pakistan today with a mission to retain the SAFF Championship trophy away from home after their glorious triumph in the regional tournament in Dhaka nearly three years ago.

The eight-team event, which will mark the debut of Afghanistan, kicks off in Karachi on Wednesday.

Although Pakistan has never been a favourite place for Bangladesh to excel in the sport, the boys of new Argentine coach Diego Cruciani are upbeat about conquering the Karachi frontier overturning the threat of Baichung Bhutia-led India.

"I think the team has taken best possible preparation within a short time. It's now time for the players to show their mettle. I believe and hope they will play their best to bring home the glory again," said country's football great Kazi Salahuddin ahead of the team's departure.

Salahuddin, who is the chairman of the National Team Management committee, also termed the two-month preparation and the participation in the four-nation invitational tournament in Myanmar in between as inspiring during a press briefing at the BFF Bhaban yesterday.

Placed in Group A along with Bhutan, Nepal and India, Bangladesh will launch their title defence against underdogs Bhutan on December 8.

Cruciani, who impressed on his first assignment in Myanmar finishing second behind the hosts, was also satisfied with the preparation and said that he didn't feel any pressure with the tag of defending champions.

"I am happy with the preparation. Fitness was my main concern and I think we have achieved seventy per cent in this area. I am satisfied with the level of fitness considering the time we have had," said the Argentine, who picked his final 20 on Friday from a list of 24 probables.

The Bangladesh national coach, who expressed his disappointment over the non-existence of videos of the previous event in the Bangladesh Football Federation archive, was however little bothered with his lack of knowledge about the opponents.

"I have no idea about the opponents but have learnt that India and Pakistan are very good sides. But I am not concerned with the opponents' strength right at the moment. I will set my strategy once we arrive in Pakistan. What I want is the best from my boys," said a confident Cruciani.

"I don't feel any pressure with the tag that we are going to take part in the tournament as defending champions," he added responding to a question.

Captain Arif Khan Joy, however, said that the spotlight will definitely be on the Bangladesh team as reigning champions but they are ready to take the challenge.

"No doubt the spotlights will be on us, but we are very much focused on our duty. If we can play our natural game it would not be an impossible task to retain the title," said the midfielder live wire.

"Our coach said that we have achieved seventy per cent fitness, but I must say that we are fitter than that if you consider the standard that we are used to over the years. Actually, the modern fitness theory is something new to us," said the shaven-headed Bangladesh captain.

"It is true that we are yet to fully adopt the new style of football but you never know that we may add some Latin flavour to our game," he said.

Country's number one goalkeeper Aminul Haque, who also spoke at the briefing, said that Bangladesh have already proved that they can achieve anything if they play as a unit.

"We showed that spirit in Dhaka in 2003," said Aminul.

SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS: Aminul Haque, Biplab Bhattachariya.
DEFENDERS: Faisal Ahmed, Mohammad Sujan, Rajani Kanta Barman, Parvez Babu, Firoz Mahmud Titu, Nazrul Islam, Hassan Al Mamun.
MIDFIELDERS: Arif Khan Joy (captain), Arman Aziz, Arman Mia, Matiur Munna, Abul Hossain.
FORWARDS: Alfaz Ahmed, Mehdi Hasan Ujjal, Ariful Kabir Farhad, Shahajuddin Tipu, Rokonuzzaman Kanchan andZahid Hossain Emily.

- The daily Star

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Bangladesh football team leaves for pakistan

Diego Cruciani brings Latin flavour to South Asian football, but whether his charges materialise it or not against their neighbours would only be known when the fourth edition of the SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) Championship kicks off here today.

The 41-year-old Argentine will carry the weight of expectations of 140 million people when Bangladesh launch their title defence in the eight-team biennial event that has already turned into a battle of foreign coaches.

While Bangladesh go into action tomorrow against rank-outsiders Bhutan, last year's runners-up Maldives take on Afghanistan in today's opening match at the People's Football Stadium at 4pm (Bangladesh Time). Hosts Pakistan face Sri Lanka in the day's second Group-A match at 7pm (Bangladesh Time).

Only India -- two-time winners -- and Sri Lanka -- who had won the SAARC Gold Cup at home in 1995 before the launching of the SAFF Championship, have local coaches.

Syed Nayeemuddin, a shrewd mind who last year coached Dhaka League champions Brothers Union, is back at the helm of Indian team after his success as a trainer in the inaugural SAFF Championship in Kathmandu in 1997.

With Indian inspirational striker Baichung Bhutia also back after missing the Dhaka event in 2003, Naimuddin would certainly be eyeing a second feather in his illustrious cap.

Sri Lanka are the other side to have local expertise with coach Sampath Perera, succeeding Brazilian coach Marcos Vimcius Mot Ferreira -- the first ever Latin American import to the region -- whose attempt to raise the Lankan glory days have had no effect.

The 39-year-old Perera's sole intention would be to repeat their 1995 success with promising youngsters led by veteran captain Duddley Steinwall.

"My strategy will be to strengthen the ranks of the team by introducing talented young blood, while continuing to depend on the experience of the senior players," said the 1995 Sri Lanka captain Perera after taking charge.

Pakistan pin hopes on Bahrain's Salman Ahmed Sharida to win their first-ever SAFF title and the home side have trained well. They have had their camp in Bahrain and would be boosted by the arrival of Fulham midfielder Zesh Rahman, the Birmingham-born who is expected to wear his first Pak cap today.

"Zesh played in Bahrain against the local clubs and I believe he is a very, very talented player. I am sure he will be a motivating factor for the team," remarked the Bahraini coach.

"We played three games against local Bahraini clubs in Manama. We lost to Al-Muharraq 1-3, drew with Al-Najma 2-2 and lost to Al-Nadia Busteen 1-2. These games gave good practice to us but still, I did not have enough time to prepare,” said Sharida, who took over at the end of October.

Zesh pledged his future for Pakistan after English football selectors ignored him for the national Under-21 squad. The 22-year-old had represented England at Under-17, U-18, U-19 and U-20 levels in the past.

Maldives, once the whipping boys of this region, have turned into a great force and Bulgarian mastermind Iordan Ivanov Stoikov have never failed to take them to the podium in three appearances.

Afghanistan, who failed to score a single goal on their SAFF debut in 2003 in Dhaka, are being helped by the German government for preparation and are under German trainer Klaus Staerk.

Japanese coach Toshiko Shiozawa, who has taken over reins of the Nepal national team, settled for experience and youth. Known faces in Dhaka football Hari Khadka, Basanta Thapa and goalkeeper-captain Upendra Man Singh, who had announced his retirement during the 2003 version of SAFF Football in Dhaka, are back to boost the Himalayan Kingdom.

Shiozawa believes that Nepalese players are talented but lack technique and physique. "In a group of death with Bangladesh and India, we must look forward to do our best," said Shiozawa after the grouping.

Bhutan under a Dutch coach are also making their second appearance in the championship like Afghanistan.

GROUPINGS
GROUP A: Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
GROUP B: Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan.

FIXTURE
Dec 7: Maldives v Afghanistan
Pakistan v Sri Lanka
Dec 8: Bangladesh v Bhutan
India v Nepal
Dec 9: Maldives v Sri Lanka
Pakistan v Afghanistan
Dec 10: India v Bhutan
Bangladesh v Nepal
Dec 11: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan
Pakistan v Maldives
Dec 12: Nepal v Bhutan
Bangladesh v India
Dec 14: Semifinals
Dec 17: Final

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December 08
Cruciani warns against complacency
Bangladesh begin title defence against lowly Bhutan today
Al Musabbir Sadi from Karachi

Bangladesh launch their Fourth SAFF Championship campaign against rank-outsiders Bhutan at the People's Sports Complex Stadium here today.

The Group B opener kicks off at 4.15pm Bangladesh time, which will be followed by the India-Nepal clash.

Bangladesh won their previous three meetings against the tiny mountain kingdom but coach Diego Andres Cruciani warned against any complacency ahead of his first full international as Bangladesh coach.

The Argentine, who took over as national coach a couple of months ago, told reporters yesterday that starting a tournament against a weak team was always good but he was taking nothing for granted.

"For a coach, no team is an easy opponent. Many times small teams have upset big names. I don't care what people say about Bangladesh beating Bhutan by a big margin, I am too much serious about the match," the 41-year-old told Argentine at the Gymkhana ground during Bangladesh's first training session in Karachi.

"I won't mind if the boys score many goals because goal-difference may play a big role in the end."

Cruciani has finalised his first eleven and he has given veteran Alfaz the job to play as the 'free midfielder' for his experience and current form.

"I had Ujjal in mind when I started training but Alfaz has impressed me. He is intelligent and has the experience to strike at any moment as well as passing the ball timely. He will be more useful as an attacking midfielder than a striker. Ujjal is like a 'joker' in a card game. He can play in any position and he is likely to come out any time.

"I need more efficiency from the two forwards. They miss too many chances but I want them to find the target more.

"The defenders are very good but sometimes they show lack of sense without the ball. When my team attacks, they tend to follow the ball and forget the job to mark the opponent striker. We have to be watchful about counter attacks," added Cruciani.

When asked about Joy's knee injury, Cruciani said that he was satisfied with the physician's work on the Bangladesh captain.

However, Cruciani's biggest complaint was his lack of knowledge about his opponents.

"I wanted some video footage of our opponents, but they were not available "

He was also a bit worried about the humidity in the port city as his players had already complained of sweating heavily.

"We play the second and third matches in the night so it would not be a problem. Today, we are here after a long journey. So we got a bit tired," said Joy, the new Bangladesh captain.

"Bhutan have never surprised anyone in this region. So, we will start as favourites. But we have to work hard on the field. We have a very strong team and I have my confidence in the boys," the defensive midfielder added.

"We don't have a chance to relax. Our first target is to secure a win and then go for goals. I need three points first."

Probable Bangladesh line-up (4-3-1-2): Aminul, Hassan Al Mamun, Sujan, Rajani, Titu, Arman, Joy, Alfaz, Kanchan and Farhad.

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Farhad fires holders home



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Bangladesh 3: Bhutan 0
Al Musabbir Sadi from Karachi
Dec, 09

Two-goal Ariful Kabir Farhad gave defending champions Bangladesh a confident start in the Fourth SAFF Cham-pionship with a 3-0 thrashing of Bhutan in the Group B opener at the People's Sports Complex Stadium here yesterday.

Farhad broke the resistance of the tiny mountain kingdom in the 42nd minute and doubled the lead in the 58th while substitute Zahid Hossain Emily, buoyed by a 12,000-strong crowd supporting the Bangladesh team, sealed the victory four minutes from time with a sublime shot on his international debut.

Playing in their second-choice all white, the holders began lively with a string of neat passes and rushed early blood, but Arman's 20-yard freekick went just wide when the match was not even one-minute old.

Two minutes later, the eight-pack Bhutanese defence kept out Farhad's header on an Arman corner from their line before Farhad wasted a fine left-flank cross by Titu, placing the ball wide from close.

Having survived the early blitz, the tight Bhutan backline managed to keep the rivals at bay until Matiur Munna's freekick in the 42nd minute proved too good for them.

Munna floated the ball from 20 yards out and Farhad, the Abahani striker who has returned to the national fold after a decade, separated the two sides with a deft header.

Bangladesh goalkeeper Aminul, who was not required to make a single save in the first 45 minutes, was stretched in the injury time when he had to foil Wangay Dorji's long range effort in the injury time.

Bangladesh enjoyed superior ball possession and it was Farhad who found the mark again 13 minutes after the break. Dashing down the right flank, the diminutive forward dribbled past Kinley Wangchuk before lobbing goalkeeper Jigme Singye with a right-footer from a tight angle.

Wangay, one of the two senior players of the squad, came close to reducing the gap in the 66th minute, but his 20-yard drive went over harmlessly after kissing the top of the crossbar.

There was no respite and Emily, who had replaced Kanchan, took the ball from a throw-in at the left flank and fired a dipping volley into the top right hand corner, giving the rival keeper no chance.

It could have been 4-0 shortly but Alfaz, receiving the ball from Emily near the penalty spot, miskicked his chance in injury time.

“I am happy that we won 3-0. I told my players before the match that no match is easy. Always be serious, also against young teams. I am satisfied because they have stuck to the task and we have made a winning start,” said Bangladesh's Argentine coach Diego Cruciani after the match.

"In the first half, we made mistakes due to inefficiency. We lost too many opportunities. They also defended doggedly, packing their backline with many players. The start was shaky and nervous, the players were not moving well,” said Cruciani about his first international match as Bangladesh coach.

“It can happen at the start of a tournament. The goal from Emily was superb and I am happy because he is a young player playing his first international and that too in SAFF Championship. Farhad is a fighting man and very strong mentally.

The defence left wide gaps a few times, allowing the rivals to create space for attack and the Argentine thinks there was lack of understanding between Sujan and Rajani. "Sometimes our fullbacks forgot to return in time after overlapping. Still, it is a very good take-off," added the coach before going back to the pavilion to watch his group opponents Nepal and India play later on.

Bhutan chief coach Khare Basnet said the performance of his boys against a strong team made him happy.

"We could have played better had we not been scheduled to play in this warm condition. Our boys from the mountains are not accustomed to this heat. I don't know why the organisers have given us a day match when they could have easily held the games in the evening," Basnet complained.

TEAMS
BANGLADESH: Aminul, Hassan Al Mamun, Sujan, Rajani, Titu, Arman (Abul), Joy, Alfaz, Kanchan (Emily) and Farhad (Ujjal).
BHUTAN: Jigme Singye, Pema, Tandin, Passang, Nawang, Kinley Dorji, Bikash, Kinley Wangchuk (Sangay), Wangay and Pema Chopel (Wangchuk and Sonam).
Referee: Perera Hettikam (Sri Lanka).


TOAST OF BANGLADESH: Bangladesh striker Farhad (C) is being congratulated by his teammates after he scored one of his two goals against Bhutan during their SAFF Championship Group B match in Karachi on Thursday. PHOTO: AFP - The Daily Star

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Kanchan strikes twice to take Bangladesh to Saff semifinals
Al Musabbir Sadi, from Karachi, Dec, 11


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Kanchan

Bangladesh 2 : Nepal 0


Rokonuzaman Kanchan struck either side of the break as Bangladesh stormed into the semifinals of the Fourth SAFF Championship with an authoritative 2-0 win over Nepal in a Group B match at the People's Complex Stadium here yesterday.

India also moved to the last four from the same group after beating Bhutan 3-0 earlier in the day.

Level on six points, Bangladesh are ahead of India by virtue of a better goal difference and the two regional rivals meet in the group decider tomorrow.

After a cautious start, Diego Cruciani's charges took control of the midfield and began to slice the rival defence regularly. But Farhad's seventh minute placing shot went wide after the striker got a through pass from Alfaz inside the box. In the next two minutes, two more crosses tested Nepalese goalkeeper Bikash Malla who pulled off a fine save halfway through the first session to thwart a powerful freekick by Arman from 25 yards.

The break came in the 27th minute when Matiur Munna cut back a low cross from the left. Farhad missed a shot but his effort unsettled the nearby defender who mistimed to clear and handed the ball to Muktijoddha striker Kanchan who made a clinical finish with his favourite left-footer.

The lead gave Bangladesh time to relax before the break, reserving their energy against a very speedy Nepalese midfield.

Nepal's pace, however, never looked threatening for Bangladesh's tidy defence and the tight midfield led by Ariful Kabir Joy, the skipper who put up another encouraging show.

The only chance Nepal had was in the 56th minute when Basanta Thapa had only the goalkeeper to beat after a rare defensive error, but the veteran's long range effort was stopped well by Bangladesh custodian Aminul. Two minutes later, Bikash made a one-handed save to deny an angled drive by Alfaz for a corner.

Four minutes from time, Matiur Munna again came alive with a through to Farhad who picked Kanchan unmarked at the left side of the penalty area with a crossfield pass. Kanchan effortlessly placed a left footer into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Despite playing a clean game, Bangladesh's evening was spoiled after Yemeni referee Al Yarimi Mukhtar showed five yellow cards to the holders.

Yellow cards: Farhad, Aminul, Titu, Kanchan, Rajani (Bangladesh) and Bijay, Sagar, Pradeep, Pralaya (Nepal)

TEAMS
BANGLADESH: Aminul, Hassan Al Mamun, Sujan, Rajani, Titu, Arman, Joy, Alfaz (Ujjal 83rd minute), Kanchan (Emily, 42nd) and Farhad (Arman Aziz, 89th).
NEPAL: Bikash, Lok Bandhu, Sagar, Rakesh, Anjan, Vishad (Pralaya, 78th) Hari Khadka (Raju, 41st)), Pradeep, Bijay, Surendra (Ramesh, 71st) and Basanta. - The Daily Star

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Stakes not high in today's Bangladesh-India clash


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Bangladesh booters stretch while a tiny tot sitting in the middle looks on during their practice session at the KMC ground in Karachi on Sunday.. PHOTO: STAR

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Bangladesh skipper Arif Khan Joy wore a worried look while talking to newsmen about the curse of the yellow cards Bangladesh players received in Saturday’s match against Nepal.

‘I was a happy man after we clinched the last four berth. We started under pressure against Nepal as we had no option other than a victory but my players responded wonderfully to the challenge and we won,’ said Joy on Sunday. ‘The win has gelled us into a total unit and we are feeling more confident, I think the coach is also happy with his disciples. We are yet to produce our best and there are some players who are the match winners. I hope they will deliver when it is needed. Alfaz is not getting goals, I hope he will get it when the team needs, ‘ said Joy. ‘The match against India is a matter of prestige and we will not let anything go unchallenged. We will definitely try to win the match but a draw will not be bad either,’ said the captain.

‘I am worried about the yellow cards that Aminul, Kanchan, Rajani, Farhad and Titu received in the previous match. It is very unfortunate that Aminul was cautioned while he was about to kick a dead ball. Titu was looking for his team-mates before taking a throw-in and Kanchan was booked while he was being substituted while another player got a yellow card midway through the second half for a minor infringement. The referee did not even warn him. These kinds of things put added pressure on the team,’ said Joy.

Coach Diego Cruciana also was concerned at the standard of refereeing. ‘I don’t want to comment too much on the refereeing except to say I want sensible decisions from them. The decisions against Aminul, Titu were not sensible. Maybe the decision of Kanchan is also too harsh, some referees sometimes think differently.’

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Bangladesh Draw 1-1 with India

Bangladesh set up a semifinal clash against hosts Pakistan in the Fourth SAFF Championship when a second-string side of the defending champions drew 1-1 with ten-man against India in the last group match of the competition here at the People's Sports Complex Stadium yesterday.

Rookie striker Zahid Hossain Emily struck a 77th-minute equaliser with a sublime shot to cancel India's 1-0 first-half lead, given by midfielder Climax Lawrence.

Bangladesh emerged Group B champions with a superior goal difference after they finished level with their regional rivals on seven points.

The holders will play Pakistan in the second semifinal under lights after the first between India and last year's runners-up Maldives on Wednesday.

Argentine coach Diego Cruciani showed faith in his reserve bench but the inexperienced squad, without nine first-team players, were chasing shadows against a full-strength India.

[mahi7]

Bangladesh 1 : Pakistan 0

a good beating by amader players. this game meant a lot! ekhon india!
Watch out indian we are coming


Immediately after the match, Bangladesh captain Arif Khan Joy dedicated the victory to the memories of three million martyrs of the Liberation War.

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Final:
Bangladesh lost to India by 1-0

Champion: India
Runner UP: Bangladesh

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+1

WBR,
Alex