Bangladesh football team’s celebration after scoring their only goal against Sri Lanka in their last group match of the Bangabandhu Cup drew wide criticism on Tuesday as it came against the spirit of the game. The players put their fingers on the mouth before the cameras — apparently asking their critics to shut their mouth — something what left the former players and fans bemused.
Though the gesture is not uncommon in football, it is usually seen in away matches after a team or player scores a goal, silencing the home crowd.
Players sometime make the gesture before the media which often criticise them unjustifiably. But these were not the case for the Bangladesh team during Monday’s game.
Some 15,000 fans wholeheartedly supported the team during the match and they also received constant support from the media.
Despite 0-1 loss to Malaysia Under-23 team, everyone apparently backed Bangladesh to beat Sri Lanka and reach the semi-final. Yet, their behaviour came as a surprise to many.
Former national footballer and a senior vice-president of the Bangladesh Football Federation termed their behaviour as ‘immature’.
‘They played well but it could have been much better,’ he said. ‘If Sri Lanka would have scored from the penalty spot, then anything could happen,’ he said, referring to Sri Lanka’s 65th minute penalty miss.
‘I think the players lacked professionalism and they are not fully matured,’ said Salam.
‘They should realise that the Bangladesh Football Federation is doing everything by helping them to develop.’
Former national striker Sheikh Mohammad Aslam, also a BFF member, said that in his playing career he never celebrated in such a manner.
‘I don’t know why a group of players did this after the goal,’ he said.
‘In my long career, I scored many winning goals but never celebrated in that way. I think a good player needs to be a good student too.’
Aslam, however, praised Bangladesh’s performance in the first half but observed that they lost stamina gradually.
‘In the first half, they played well but gradually they were losing their stamina. They failed to keep their tempo in the last part of the game,’ he said.
Meanwhile, footballers defended their act and said it was an emotional outburst.
‘We faced many criticisms after the Malaysia game. After scoring the goal we wanted to show all that we did not deserve so much criticism,’ said skipper Mamunul Islam.
‘We were also under pressure to deliver. We promised the BFF president that we will play in the semi-finals. And I had promised that I will quit the national team if we cannot win,’ he said.
-With New Age input
