Matin happy to win it for team

Striker Matin Mia was over the moon after his brace yesterday helped Bangladesh to a 3-0 win over Sri Lanka, taking the hosts into the semifinals of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup.

“It was a very important match for us because we knew a win would take us to the semifinals. For the first time I have scored at international level, so I’m really pleased that I have done something for the nation. Bangladesh can now play the semifinal due to our good performance and my goals,” said the Bashundhara Kings striker at the post-match press briefing at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Matin, who scored 12 goals in last season’s Bangladesh Premier League and two goals each in Federation Cup and Independence Cup, was drafted in the starting eleven for the fourth time. The lanky forward hogged the limelight by putting Bangladesh ahead in the first half with a brilliant strike before taking the game away from the Lankans with a solo effort in the second half.

“Our confidence was high because we knew that we must win against Sri Lanka. Besides, the coach conducted special training on finishing. Our target was to finish well whenever we got chances.

“Before the match, we had a team discussion to give hundred percent against Sri Lanka to ensure the semifinals and everyone tried their best. The expectation on the forwards was to score and we promised our teammates to score if we got the opportunities. At the same time, our expectation on others was to not concede goals. I think collective effort gave us this victory,” said the 25-year-old forward, who had pulled himself out of the recent South Asian Games squad due to his marriage.

Coach Jamie Day was happy, too, to see his side through to the last four.

“I am really pleased with the performance of the boys tonight. It was a tough game because Sri Lanka did well, holding Palestine for 90 minutes. The boys played well and scored three nice goals and kept a clean-sheet. We changed tactic because we needed to get past Sri Lanka,” Day said.