'Tactically okay, not technically'
Goal scoring has long been a problem for Bangladesh strikers at all levels of competition, whether it is domestic or international, and now Bangladesh football team head coach Andrew Ord believes that if the Booters are ever to deliver better results, then the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) must appoint a specialist coach for the frontline to hone their skills.
Ord has been closely involved with age-group teams such as the Under-16, U-19, U-23 squads ever since his appointment last May. The British-born Australian was engaged from behind the scenes with these teams in an effort to aid local coaches and guide the boys through different international tournaments such as the SAFF U-15 and U-18 and AFC U-16 and AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers. On the other hand, Ord had coached the U-23 team for the AFC U-23 Championship himself. Yesterday he spoke about the U-19 team's AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers campaign, where Bangladesh finished third in Group B, and the other age-group teams from Tajikistan in an interview over phone.
“I have been here more than 5 months now and had time to assess the National U-23, U-19 and U-16 teams' in detail. I have also watched many BPL and even some BCL games. It is quite clear that goal scoring is a huge problem and we are never going to win enough games and qualify for tournaments unless this is addressed,” said Ord, who worked as an adviser coach to Bangladesh U-19 team.
Ord also explained why the booters need a specialist coach, saying that the team is tactically good but that they are not technically sound enough to make a difference against strong opponents.
“Tactically we are excellent and our mentality has improved every day but technically we are still behind the stronger countries. It [attacking third] is a specialist area and needs to be worked in small groups with an expert. At all levels, the players are not making intelligent runs, the movements are not timed properly and the decision making and technique inside the box regularly let us down. It is an area we can improve a lot,” said Ord, adding that he will discuss the matter with BFF president Kazi Salahuddin and technical director Paul Smalley when he returns from Tajikistan.
In the last four tournaments, the SAFF U-15 and U-18 and AFC U-16 and U-19, Bangladesh comparatively put up more spirited shows than before against each opponent but could not get goals in some crucial games and subsequently were unable to clinch the title. The Bangladesh U-16 team even failed to qualify for the finals of AFC U-16 Championship, despite finishing runners-up; because they were eliminated on goal difference while the Bangladesh U-18 team had to be content with a second place finish in the SAFF U-18 Championship even though they were on equal points with the ultimate champions Nepal.
“Regarding the overall performance of the U-19 players in Tajikistan, I am very pleased. Tactically they have responded well and as each game went by the mentality got stronger which has clearly been a problem at senior levels in the past.
“I think a share of the credit needs to go to the President who appointed a Technical Director with a lot of experience 18 months ago. His work doesn't get instant results but he has shown the ideas he has are the correct ones. The clubs now need to get behind the idea that the federation and national team have to raise the standard as club coaching, facilities and lack of youth development are holding the [country's] game back from its true potential,” concluded the 38-year-old.