While the Maldives football team made headlines for their majestic performance a few days back, regional top-notch Bangladesh were the source of more frustration as they made an early exit from the SAF Games competition In Islamabad.

Maldives, who withdrew from the regional meet's fbotbaU competition at the last minute, stunned the football world when they held Asian giants South Korea to a goalless draw in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

On the other hand, a day later holders Bangladesh lost to hosts Pakistan 1-0 in the last Group A match that forced Shahidur Rahman Shantoo's charges to pack theirbags early.

However for a change, the local footbaH authorities have had the courage to at least shoulder the responsibilityforthe flop.

"I think there is no scope to blame the players for the debacle in the prestigious event because we failed to provide them with the best possible facilities," said Anwarul Haq Helal.

see PAGE 14 COL I FROM PAGE 13

general secretary of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).

Helal said that they were not in a position to give the players enough time to prepare before sending them to Pakistan.

"We got all the players together only for seven days because of the Premier Division League," said Helal.

He also informed that the BFF was thinking of forming a guideline on the national team's preparations.

"Maldives are improving because they have a plan in place. We will meet soon to take a decision about the matter and we should take the initiative to avoid further humiliation in the international level," he added.