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| May 1, 2002 | Wednesday | Safar 17, 1423 |
Coach Layton happy with performance
KARACHI, April 30: Pakistan soccer coach, John Layton, said his side missed the main round berth of under-20 Asian championship but still praised the players who drew with Bangladesh.
“It is the win for football. My boys fought hard but one team wins while other loses,” he told reporters after Pakistan- Bangladesh 2-2 draw at the group V qualifiers at the People’s Sports Complex.
He said at times the players were naive at attacking, while there were also lapses in the defence. “The finishing is still the major deficiency which the boys have to overcome.”
The Englishman said besides Sohail Nawaz and Aftab Qadir, who were injured, Akbar Ali and Mohammad Asif could not play because of illness.
He said Karachiites had shown keen interest in the game which was evident from their involvement throughout the match.
Layton, starts his new assignment by starting an under-17 training camp in Islamabad for the Asian championship qualifiers next month in Tajikistan.
George Kottan, the Bangladesh coach reiterated that Pakistan had some “adults” in the squad, but they were technically a good side having lots of potential.
“Pakistan have some overage players, but yes technically they are one good side,” he said.
Kottan said his boys did not follow his instruction of avoiding to play the ball in the air but was surprised both the Bangladesh goals came through headers.
“Strangely, my players did not stick to the plans I gave them. I had asked them not to play the ball in the air because Pakistanis have good height.
I don’t know the reason but they never followed my instructions, But it is surprising they scored through headers,” Kottan said.
The coach was furious over the controversial offside decision which he said deprived his side from a deserved goal.
“It was not an offside and that was absolutely a perfect goal. But what is done is done. I won’t lodge any protest since the tournament is over now,” the Bangladesh coach said.
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