Dido gambles on youngsters

Bangladesh's Brazilian coach Edson Silva Dido decided to gamble on novice players as he yesterday declared a 23-member squad for the SAFF Championship to be held in Dhaka from December 4 to 13.
Of eight players, who walked out of Dido's camp citing 'unbearable circumstances', six experienced players -- defenders Rajani Kanta Barman, Ariful Islam, Mofazzal Hossain Saikat, midfielders Zahid Hossain, Zahed Parvez Chowhdury and Arman Aziz -- found no place in Dido's SAFF squad, which, however, included star striker Zahid Hasan Emily and brilliant defender Wali Faisal although both were part of the rebellion.
Apart from those six, Dido also axed another six players, who were in his two-and-a-half month conditioning as well as residential training camp in Cox's Bazar and Savar respectively.
Surprising, country's second best goalkeeper Biplob Bhattacharjee was also not considered in the squad though number one Aminul Haq is still nursing his back injury and has yet to play a single match for his club Mohammedan in the season.
Dido thought all of those six players were not fit for the SAFF Championship, but his explanation on Biplob's exclusion apparently indicated that still he has kept the walkout incidents in his mind.
"During the crisis, Biplob played a role to twist the crisis, something that Aminul did not. That's why Aminul is in the squad and Biplob was dropped and he failed to gain my trust," Dido said. "Aminul is practicing with his team and I believe he will be fit for the match in the next 10 days and it is no matter whether he played in the last one and a half months."
Questions were mainly restricted to the exclusion of Biplob as well as his vulnerable central defenders, which consists of the shaven-headed Mamun Mia and youngster Rezaul Karim Reza and U-16 player Al Amin as veteran-but-still-appropriate defender Rajani and Federation Cup's best player Ariful was not considered in this position.
Mamun Mia was the man, who unnecessarily tackled a Myanmar winger to award the visitors a penalty before keeper Aminul rescued the home side foiling Myo Min Tun spot kick. Reza is playing in the top level competition for Farashganj for the first time and Al Amin was not even considered by any professional clubs for the current season.
"What do you mean by experience?” By the age, by the playing? The question is that whether he is capable of taking this positions and I think they will be able to keep their nerve during the SAFF Championship matches," explained Dido.
About the inclusion of those players who played as substitute during the Federation Cup as well as Bangladesh league, the Brazilian said, "Before the AFC Challenge Cup, Manik was nobody, Imon Babu was nobody when I picked them, but they justified their inclusion through their performance and those who have been picked have the quality to play in the national squad. It depends on the coach who will play in the starting eleven and if I was coach of those teams, I would definitely choose them in the starting squad."
Brilliant winger Zahid Parvez was instrumental in achieving a lone-goal win over Cambodia in the opener of the AFC Challenge Cup, but the Brazilian coach thought Zahid is the kind of player who is not dynamic and is not able to switch positions effectively, which is why he is not considered.
Dido also hoped to clinch the SAFF Championship.
Meanwhile, before declaring the squad, the National Team Management Committee (NTMC) led by Bangladesh Football Federation vice president Badal Roy had a two-hour marathon meeting with coach Dido and Argentine trainer Ariel Coleman.
"We had a elaborate discussion with coach Dido about the squad though we had some observations about some players whom we still believe to be important players but are not in the squad. We did not want to interfere with the coach's choice and ultimately accepted his 23-member squad," said Roy.

SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Aminul Haq (Mohammedan), Mazharul Islam Himel (Sheikh Russel) and Mostaqur Rahman (Arambagh KS).
Central defenders: Mamun Mia (Mohammedan), Rezaul Karim Reza (Farashganj) and Al Amin (No club).
Right full backs: Nasir Hossain (Mohammedan) and Mohiuddin Ibnul Siraji (Abahani).
Left full backs: Wali Faisal (Mohammedan) and Atiqur Rahman Mishu (Abahani).
Defensive midfielders: Manik (Farashganj), Monayem Khan Raju (Feni Soccer Club) and Maruf Ahmed (Sheikh Russel).
Playmakers: Shahedul Islam (Abahani), Alamgir Kabir Rana (Mohammedan), Emon Babu (Sheikh Russel), Mamunul Islam (Mohammedan), Imtiaz Sultan Zitu (Farashganj) and Choumrin Rakhine (Rahmatganj).
Strikers: Enamul Haque (Abahani), Abdul Baten Komol (Mohammedan), Zahid Hasan Emily (Mohammedan) and Mithun Chowdhury (Chittagong Abahani).