Day focused to get results before Asia Cup
British coach Jamie Day wants the full utilisation of three FIFA windows from September to November before going into the group stage of the Asian Cup in February next year.
"The discussion was very positive and it was regarding plans for the Asian Cup," Day told the reporters after his first meeting with Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Kazi Salahuddin at the BFF House today since the national team returned home on June 17 following their Joint Qualifiers for World Cup and Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar.
"There are a few international windows, so we want a few results [during that period]. I want to play six friendly matches in those windows and discussed how we can prepare for those," Day revealed his plan.
Asked whether the BFF president was satisfied with the outcomes of the qualifiers, Day said: "Qualifying for the Asian Cup was the target and that has been achieved. It is irrelevant whether we could get more points in three games. Now, we are looking forward to how we can prepare for the Asian Cup."
Salahuddin, however, had a mixed feeling regarding the outcome of the national team, who finished bottom in a five-team group with two points from eight matches.
"How can I be happy? I'm not happy or unhappy. We used to concede 10/11 goals during our playing time when the likes of Jakaria Pintu bhai, Pratap Sangkar Da, Enayet Bhai and I played. Now, the number of goals conceded is reduced. However, I'm still not happy with the results " Salahuddin told the reporters.
"There is nothing to be satisfied with these results nor is there anything to cry over such results," said Salahuddin, who a couple of months earlier criticised Day for his ultra-defensive strategy after Bangladesh suffered a 0-2 defeat against hosts Nepal in the Tri-Nation Cup.
Day will complete the first year of his two-year new contract in mid-August and both parties will have an option to review it.
"Keeping Jamie in our mind, we are moving forward and trying to find out the shortcomings of the team. The coach has already submitted a report of the World Cup campaign and will submit another about the plan [regarding the upcoming Asia Cup]. We will have more meetings in the coming days and let see what happens," said BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag.
Comments