‘Catching China was not impossible’

Bangladesh men's U-17 football team returned home from China yesterday with heavy hearts, having failed to realise their dream of qualifying for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup finals. Their 4-0 loss to a strong China in the final match of the qualifiers ended their campaign on Sunday.

The team has not qualified for the finals in the last 10 editions, with their last final-round appearance dating back to 2006. After 19 years, there was renewed hope, backed by extensive preparation and participation in several tournaments. Bangladesh showed consistent form in their opening four matches against Timor-Leste, Brunei, Sri Lanka and Bahrain, but fell short in the decisive clash against China.

Despite the disappointment, captain Nazmul Huda Faisal found positives in the campaign, though he admitted surprise at conceding the first two goals against China.

"We are not satisfied with the results in the qualifiers, but we must admit China were a stronger side in terms of fitness, physicality and skill. Still, it was not impossible to catch them," Faisal told The Daily Star over the phone.

He noted most goals were conceded due to "our own mistakes," including the surprising first two. Faisal, who scored five goals in as many matches, said the early setbacks pushed the team onto the back foot, preventing a comeback.

Reflecting on the disparity with China, Faisal noted the lack of proper football infrastructure in Bangladesh.

"China's U-17 team have been together for the last two years, and they have 300 to 400 venues like the one we played in. In Bangladesh, we don't even have enough stadiums or proper grounds in rural areas. Without this, how can footballers develop?"

Despite the setback, he sees hope. BFF development committee chairman Nasser Shahrear Zahedee promised to keep this group together with a new training camp, following a small reception at the BFF house yesterday.

Reflecting on progress, Faisal noted improvements at junior and senior levels: the senior team beat India after 22 years, the U-17s defeated Bahrain for the first time, and they narrowly lost the SAFF U-17 final in a tiebreaker.

Still, Faisal carries regret. Leading both the U-17 and U-19 sides this year, he had hoped to deliver a trophy or reach a final round. "I couldn't deliver a trophy in the SAFF Championship or take Bangladesh to the AFC finals," he said, acknowledging the disappointment shared by all.