‘Not the dream we had’: Bangladesh coach Dooley after Malaysia reality check

The gap between Bangladesh and Malaysia was laid bare in Jakarta on Friday as the former began their FIFA ASEAN Cup campaign with a 3-0 defeat at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

“Obviously, it was not the dream that we had,” Bangladesh head coach Thomas Dooley told reporters at the post-match press conference. “But it was a more realistic game that we can see that the difference between us and them.”

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Malaysia’s Arif Aiman struck in the 18th and 37th minutes before Bergson, a former Brazil youth international, effectively sealed the contest in the 52nd. Centre-back Shakil Ahad Topu, who replaced the injured Topu Barman, was involved in the defensive lapses that led to all three goals.

Image

Shakil Ahad Topu in action. Photo: BFF

Read more

Bangladesh outclassed by Malaysia in ASEAN Cup opener

Bangladesh had hoped their influx of overseas-based players would help narrow the gap from their 4-1 defeat to Malaysia in the 2022 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. Instead, their slow tempo and erratic passing allowed Tan Cheng Hoe’s side, featuring several players of overseas origin and ranked 45 places higher, to press from the outset and restrict Bangladesh’s build-up.

“We had not a good start actually this morning and followed up into the game. The game was a little bit too slow for us in the beginning on our side. We made a lot of mistakes in passing and the accuracy,” Dooley said.

The German-American coach started six overseas-based players -- Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome, Tariq Kazi, Zayyan Ahmed, Fahamedul Islam, and Farhaan Ali Wahid -- and later introduced Shuki Itofusa and Zidane Yousuf, both of whom made their debuts alongside Farhaan. But the newcomers had little impact, with talisman Hamza coming closest to giving Bangladesh a way back when he failed to convert a one-on-one chance in the 76th minute.

Image

Hamza completes formality after the final whistle. Photo: BFF

Rather than blaming Topu or his defenders for the goals, Dooley pointed to Malaysia’s attacking quality.

“They have three offensive players, who are incredible with speed and quickness. They have unbelievable technique and very dangerous cutting in,” said the former Philippines and Guyana coach. 

“I think the defence did a good job but if you leave them [Malaysian forwards] alone for a second then they can make a big damage to our team.”

The second half also exposed Bangladesh’s lack of match fitness. After nearly two months of inactivity, they had only three weeks of preparation before the tournament, and signs of fatigue became increasingly visible.

“In the end you could see that the players are tired. They were cramping up and making more mistakes,” Dooley said, though the former US captain did not use fatigue as an excuse. “We played against the team who are way ahead of us and that's what the game is.”

For the Bangladesh coach, the defeat was ultimately a lesson in where his team stand.

“So, we need to analyse the video, show every single play and then again learn from it. We don't have a lot of time to learn from for the next game but for the future... we need a Hamza at the back; we need him in the midfield, offence, defence.”