Shaky start to warm-ups

SERVING A TOUCHLINE BAN! Sacked Brazilian football coach Edson Dido Silva (L) makes a point while watching the first practice match of the national team with Shiekh Russel Krira Chakra from the VIP stand of the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. Sheikh Russel won the match 1-0.Photo: STARSports Reporter

The national football team made a frustrating start to their preparations for the SAFF Championships as they slipped to a lone-goal defeat to Sheikh Russel KC in the first of three warm-up games at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Hafan Al Barkah from Togo struck the decisive goal early in the first half.

Brazilian coach Edson Silva Dido's successor Shahidur Rahman Santoo chose to play all his players dividing them into two groups in each half against Sheikh Russel and despite losing the match he praised his boys for their performance.

However, it was most pleasing that country's number one goalkeeper Aminul Haq stood under the post for the first time since his last match of the Citycell Super Cup final in March this year. Sacked coach Dido was also present at the venue, but he declined to make any comments on the game.

Interim coach Shantoo's side, especially the midfield comprising of senior players, appeared disorganised in the first half, but the new set of young players did well in the second half and squandered a couple of good opportunities to level the margin.

Star striker Zahid Hasan Emily even missed a 12-yard spot kick while winger Zahed Parvez Chowdhury and striker Enamul Haq rattled the woodwork.

"Any loss is a disappointing one and it was also a warning message for us, but I just focused on seeing the players today (Sunday) before picking up the final 20-member squad on November 26," said Shantoo.

"The boys did well in releasing and receiving the ball, but their fishing was not up to mark," Shantoo said. "Besides, there was problems in shooting, overlapping as well as short passing and I have to work on those certain areas."

The interim coach wanted more shots from the players on the target and the second batch consisted of young players were more accurate on the target compared to the first batch, whose shots mostly floated over the crosspiece.

However, Shantoo's side were reduced to 10 men in the second half with Manik picking up the red card in the stoppage time.

Asked why stoppers Wali Faisal and Nasiruddin were not seen in their natural zone, overlapping their territories to release cross for the forwards, Shantoo said they might have been shaky thinking of being dropped from the final squad.

He, however, believes his side will get the real rhythm in the next two matches against BFF XI on Tuesday and Korean Ulsan Hyundai Club on Thursday.

Sheikh Russel's midfielder Maruf Ahmed, who was dropped from the national team, was the brightest point of the day, shoring up the midfield and seen everywhere behind the ball.