Bangladesh’s new football generation return home with SAFF U-20 trophy

Kathmandu, Aug. 29: Not once, but four times, thousands of loud Nepali football fans at ANFA Complex were silenced by Bangladesh’s new footballing generation when the visitors scored four goals past Nepal to lift the SAFF U-20 trophy on Wednesday. 

The Bangladeshi squad was the least-prepared team in the tournament as they could not practice enough due to the political tension. However, the team did not only defeat the defending champion India in the semi-final, they beat the poor-performing host, who were the favourites, in the final as well.

Bangladesh’s coach A.K.M Maruful Haque was equally delighted and emotional as the players after the win in the finals. He had expressed his strong desire to win the trophy for several reasons, one being a gift for the country. “We want to win the Cup as it will encourage our transformation back home,” Haque said in the pre-tournament conference on August 17; he abided by the statement in the pre-match conference of the final on Tuesday. 

Haque’s team had arrived in Nepal only a day before the tournament due to a lack of air transportation service. They had to send Md. Medhi Hasan Srabon, Bangladesh’s goalie and captain injured against India in the semis, back by road as doctors recommended immediate surgery.

Meanwhile, as the players, coaches and staff of Bangladesh were seen enjoying a historic win on the ground, Bangladeshi fans back home were getting involved digitally. The comments on the social media posts by the Bangladesh Football Federation after the win show that the squad are likely to receive a hero’s welcome upon their return.

On the other hand, Nepali fans were shattered as the players, in the finals, showed their worst performance in the tournament so far. But it was also possibly because the stadium was packed with an enthusiastic home crowd that the young Nepali players did not play well.

Speaking at the pre-match conference on Tuesday, Nepal’s coach Urjan Shrestha had expressed relief on the final not being played in Dasharath Rangasala. “Many of our players have not played in front of thousands of fans, and if the final would have been in Dasharath Rangasala, it would not have benefitted us,” he said.

The young players could be seen nervous whenever they were in possession or chasing the ball from the start of the final match. The players were also not scoring when they had clear chances as they lost their composure in the final moment.

A pass by Nirajan Dhami to Abinash Syangtan near the penalty spot in the 21st minute was shot far away from the frame. Syangtan had the chance to hold and shoot, but he aimed for a volley and missed. Nirajan also had a chance in the 31st minute; he could have passed or got nearer to the frame before shooting from outside the 18-yard box. The shot did not hit the frame.

Bangladesh had been trying to cross into Nepal’s box to take advantage of their height, but the plan was getting foiled. But the visitors turned the tides just before half-time as Mirajul Islam opened the team’s account from a set-piece from near the ‘D’. Jiyarat Sheikh had no chance with the ball which hit the crossbar on the top right bin.

The stadium went silent with the goal and a cheer of ‘Bangladesh’ was heard inside. Around a dozen Bangladeshi fans with children had come to cheer for their team and they were the ones who got to cheer the most.

Nepal started the second half aggressively and kept the pressure. Of many chances, Dhami missed a clear shot on frame in the 54th minute. A minute later, Bangladesh did not miss. A cross by Asadul Islam Sakib was headed for an assist by Asadul Molla for Mirajul Islam to score. It was Islam’s fourth goal in the tournament; he was the highest scorer, winner of the golden boot and the most valuable player of the tournament. Similarly, Bangladesh’s goalie Md. Asif was awarded as the best goalkeeper. 

Islam assisted Md. Rabby Hossen Rahul in the 71st minute took the lead to three goals. Rahul, Bangladesh’s No. 7, was a headache for Nepal’s defence as the winger was brilliant with his speed and skill.

Rahul took extra advantage of the Nepali defenders’ tiring challenges and assisted for the fourth goal in the sixth minute of the 10 minutes added time after 90 minutes. Md. Piash Ahmed Nova scored the final goal, which once looked as if was cleared from the goal line, for Bangladesh.  

Ram Thapa’s cross was poorly cleared by Bangladesh’s goalie at the end of the 80th minute giving Samir Tamang a clear header to score the only goal for Nepal.