Bangladesh coach Fabio Lopez expressed his satisfaction with his charges’ performance despite their 0-2 loss to hosts Kyrgyzstan in their World Cup qualifying match in Bishkek on Tuesday.
Lopez made an unsuccessful debut as Bangladesh coach having succeeded Dutchman Lodewijk de Kruif last month, yet he holds little grudge against the players, who, the Italian said, ‘did the job according to his plans’.
‘I kept my promise to give the home side a tough time, Lopez said at the post match briefing. ‘The boys played really well and the tactical aspects were also fine. Until the 87th-minute, we were trailing by one goal but unfortunately conceded the second goal in the last moment.’
Lopez continued his experiment by changing the positions of key players like captain Mamunul Islam, Shakhawat Hossain Rony, who operated from two wings respectively in the midfield.
But still there were some surprises left as he deployed midfielder Abdul Baten Komol, as a left-back in the absence of regular choice Yeamin Ahmed Munna. In the practice match the coach played Komol as a central midfielder.
Assistant coach Masud Parvez Kaiser explained the changes made by Lopez during the game over phone on Wednesday from Bishkek and termed both the goals that Bangladesh conceded were due to bad luck.
‘The coach wanted to use the speed of Komol to thwart Kyrgyzstan’s right winger (Zemlianuhin Anton), who caused huge problem during the home match’, said Kaiser.
‘But this time Komol did not allow him to cause any damage through the left side.’
He also praised all the four defenders – Nasirul Islam, Raihan Hasan, Tapu Barman and Komol, who did not allow the opponents to expose the backline.
‘Mamunul did not play as the traditional winger rather he frequently entered into the midfield to provide the ball for the forwards,’ said Kaiser.
‘Most of times, he got the aerial ball upfront but it could have been better for him had he got the ground ball.
‘If he could convert his effort which was brilliantly saved by the opponent goalkeeper, the experiment of the coach could become successful. But Mamunul needs some time to get used to his new position.’
‘The whole team played accordingly to the plan,’ said Kaiser.
Debutant striker Nabib Newaj Jibon also executed Lopez’s plans well as the Team BJMC striker kept the opponent’s holding midfielder (Bernhardt Edgar) inactive in the first-half.
The Bangladesh national football team are expected to return to the country from Kyrgyzstan tonight.
Bangladesh will play their next World Cup qualifying match against Tajikistan away on November 12.
-With New Age input
