Bangladesh Under-16 football team achieved their goal of becoming SAFF champions with just 20 days of training, which coach and players hailed as incredible success.
Bangladesh lifted the title by beating defending champions India by 4-2 margin in the penalty shootout after the stipulated 90 minutes ended in 1-1.With Bangladesh senior team have been facing a trophy drought for the last 12 years, the age-group team made it happen only in their third appearance.
Bangladesh coach Syed Golam Jilani showered his charges with full of praises saying that they have huge talent, which helped them adopt his coaching style in such a short period.
‘It’s true that we had very little time to prepare,’ Jilani said after the final. ‘It’s very tough to win trophy in such short time but our boys are talented. They learnt the techniques and tactics in short time and executed it in the field.’
Jilani believed this achievement will take country’s football to a higher level.
‘Our football needed this trophy very much,’ said the proud coach. ‘It augurs a bright future for our football,’ said Jilani, who was grateful to football fans in Sylhet for their unwavering support to his charges.
‘I want to thank the people of Sylhet for their continuous support that made our job easier,’ he said. ‘Without their support, it might not have been possible for us.’
Jilani, who hoped the win would give him a career boost as coach, said his strategy of not allowing Indians to take long efforts paid off.
‘Our strategy was not to allow them taking shots from long range,’ he said. ‘We conceded the only goal in the match just because we lost our concentration briefly. Credit should go to Indians as they made a brilliant effort to score the equaliser.’
Bangladesh skipper Shawon Hossain, who was adjudged as man of the final, thanked the coaching staff for helping them prepare adequately in a short time.
‘The way they helped us prepare in such a short time, it’s unbelievable,’ said the winger.
Forward Sarwar Zaman Nipu, who missed the final for yellow cards in successive matches, was named as the most valuable player of the tournament.
‘Though I missed the final I had full faith on my team-mates. I am really happy as they did not let the team feel my absence,’ he said.
Meanwhile, India coach Bitan Singh Ngangkham blamed their luck and inexperience for the defeat.
‘Today we were unlucky. Bangladesh are a good team and they utilised the advantage of home crowd,’ said the coach.
‘Our boys also put up an excellent display. We tried everything but one can’t say anything about the tie-breaker.
‘They [Bangladesh] are more experienced. Our players are also good but they seemed more matured than us,’ he said.
-With New Age input
