Onus on everyone to score
Teenage striker Faisal Ahmed Fahim has temporary been called up for training with the national team as regular striker Nabib Newaj Jibon is likely to miss the upcoming Bangabandhu Gold Cup due to stomach bug and fever.
The Abahani striker missed training of last three days, and since Bangladesh will play their opening match against Palestine four days later, Jibon might not be fit enough in time before that fixture. Bangladesh will play their second group stage match against Sri Lanka on January 19.
Jibon’s likely absence will put the hosts in a difficult situation as scoring is a constant issue with the team. Coach Jamie Day is not sure whether Jibon will be available, but he thinks everyone has to come forward to score goals.
“Obviously Jibon was the highest scorer among the locals last season. Who knows if he is going to miss or not. (But if he does) We have to give someone else a chance,” Day said. “Everyone has to score goals. Things do not lie only with Jibon, Saad (Uddin) or Matin (Mia).”
About the inclusion of Fahim of Saif Sporting Club, Day said, “We must keep the young lad to help him adapt to the training of the national team. [Mahbubur Rahman] Sufil is young, Saad is young and they got chances. For him [Fahim], experience will come through training. He is not ready for the national team yet; he is now 19 but training against Yeasin and Tapu will make him better.”
If Jibon does not make it to the final selection, responsibility might fall on Matin, who is ready to take the challenge.
“I think my confidence level is good after playing the Federation Cup. If Jibon bhai misses out and I am given the responsibility, I will try to give hundred percent,” Matin said after the training at the Sheikh Jamal DC ground yesterday morning.
“Today we again worked on scoring. The coach might field two strikers and the training was conducted that way. The coach made us understand what should be our position against two defenders in the attacking third. We also tried to finish well. We believe the lacking in finishing will be overcome through this training,” added Matin.
After joining the camp, captain Jamal Bhuiyan is also thinking of how to score and get out of the group stage in the upcoming tournament.
“Scoring goal has been a big concern for last 10 to 15 years because foreigners have been playing upfront in Bangladesh league, so the local players don’t get a chance. However, the forwards have to create scoring chances,” said the newly-married captain.
“We have to score more because we now create good chances. We also cannot concede any goals; That is the big target as we want to get out of the groups stage first,” added Jamal.