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| December 24, 2005 | Saturday | Ziqa’ad 21, 1426 |
Asian Cup Qualifiers: Pakistan confident of positive result in return leg
LAHORE, Dec 23: Diego Cruciani’s coached Bangladesh will have to shrug off the hangover before their Monday’s return-leg match against Pakistan here in the 14th Asian Cup qualifier.
The way Argentine coach reacted after the final whistle and launched himself against Indian referee Rizwanul Haq, it has already cast doubts whether the Bangladesh coach would be permitted to sit on the bench during next leg at Karachi’s Peoples Sports Complex on Dec 26 at 3.30pm.
FIFA Referee Rizwan is the only Indian in the elite list of referees drawn up by the Asian Football Confederation for year 2005.
The 42-year-old Argentinian went to Rizwan as he blew the final whistle and argued with him after scoreless draw at Bangabadhu National Stadium on Thursday. The SAFF runners-up Bangladesh returned to dressing room in dismal mood depressing the home crowd.
“I am unhappy about today’s refereeing. There were many decisions that went against us. The referee even invented two fouls in the injury time.
“He not only ignored the delaying tactics by the Pakistanis during the game but also the extra time given was not adequately played,” complained Cruciani, who looked like not recovering from the team’s defeat in the SAFF Championship.
“The match was a fair-play and I knew they would be planning to defend. They have achieved their target. But I still believe when we will play the next 90 minutes in Pakistan, we would win,” the coach added.
Bangladesh skipper Arif Khan Joy also believes that there is no pressure on his team as just twelve days back Bangladesh defeated Pakistan at the venue where the second leg will be played.
Pakistan’s Bahraini coach Salman Ahmed Sharida felt that his side was improving. He took the charge of the side one and half a month back termed Bangladesh a good side with better attacking players and experience.
“In the SAFF Championship semifinal a penalty made Bangladesh the victors, on Thursday we are unfortunate again as we failed to take a number of opportunities, but I am satisfied to get away with a draw,’ said Sharida.
Sharida, however, cautioned Bangladesh that the second leg in Karachi will be different. “It will be a different match in different conditions. We will come up with a different strategy unlike Dhaka’s cautious strategy, we hope to win the second leg as Pakistan are improving,’ said Sharida.
Pakistani skipper Jaffar Khan was also confident of winning the return leg to earn a place in the 24-team qualifying round.—APP
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