The national football team responded to head coach Lodewijk de Kruif’s return beating a BFF XI 2-1 in a practice match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday.
The Dutchman re-joined the national camp after an eight-day vacation in the Netherlands.
Zahid Hossain and Wali Faisal sealed the win for the national side by converting penalties on either side of Aminur Rahman Sajib’s precisely placed strike for the BFF XI.
The national team, which has spent the last two months preparing for the upcoming SAFF Championship in Nepal from August 31 to September 11, failed to show any improvement in any department, leaving local coaches and a few football fans wondering.
The BFF XI, however, impressed everybody with their movement despite only being selected on Monday night. They produced four clear chances in the first half, but could only convert one into a goal.
Zahid put the Bangladesh national team ahead in the eighth minute after Toklis Ahmed was fouled by goalkeeper Shakil inside the box and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
The BFF XI created their first chance when Rajon Mia’s weak left footer went straight at goalkeeper Shahidul Alam in the 17th minute.
Sajib leveled the scores in the 24th minute with a powerful right-footed shot off Rajib’s cross from the left flank after national team defender Nasir failed to clear the ball.
The BFF XI wasted another opportunity in the 30th minute when Shobuj Kumar’s shot went over the crossbar.
De Kruif made five changes to his side for the second half and his national team responded well to secure the win.
BFF XI Nigerian defender Yves fouled national winger Mobarak Hossain inside the box in the 68th minute and Faisal made no mistake converting.
Former national team coach Saiful Bari Titu was surprised to see the national team’s performance just 15 days ahead of the SAFF Championship.
‘I don’t see any improvement in the national performance. Maybe the absence of the head coach made the players lose concentration. We don’t understand how the head coach got vacation during the national team camp,’ said the Super Cup-winning Mohammedan coach.
He also raised questions about the quality of assistant coach Rene Koster after watching the Dutchman trying to teach basic skills to the senior players.
The national team will play another practice match against the BFF XI on August 19 or 20 and will then travel to Malaysia to play their final practice match against the Malaysian Olympic team on August 23.
-With New Age input
