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A breath of fresh air

Football

AL MUSABBIR SADI
When Moroccan striker Touati Youness left Dhaka on Sunday he had one regret -- a one-match ban. Had he not missed that crucial game against Muktijoddha Sangsad then perhaps his team Sheikh Russel could have been one of the semifinalists in the Fourth National Football League.
The 24-year-old, who was one of the key components in Russel's fairy-tale run in the Premier League early this year, almost wrote another chapter for the unheralded side with his razor sharp finishing that our domestic football so desperately missed over the years.
"It was painful to watch from the sidelines my team lose 2-0 against Muktijoddha. The defeat cost us a place in the semis," said the Moroccan while talking to The Daily Star hours before leaving for home.
How much Russel rely on this lanky sharp shooter was evident when he returned from suspension for the next game against Chittagong Abahani and scored twice in a 3-1 victory. But it was too little too late.
Since joining the club midway through the Premier League Youness quickly established himself as every defender's nightmare. He struck five goals in eight League appearances and his strike-rate in the NFL was even better. He topped the scoring chart with seven from as many matches.
Although his seven goals in the National League came to nothing, it was his Premier League goals that almost crowned new boys Sheikh Russel champions ahead of Brothers Union in a two-horse race after disposing of regular giants Abahani, Muktijoddha and Mohammedan.
However they had to settle for runners-up, which was an achievement in itself for a Premier League debutant.
The Dhaka football has over the years seen some classy foreign strikers like Rahimov, Vijen Tahiri and Kazakov. Though not in that same league, Youness'arrival was certainly a breath of fresh air after a gap of ten years. He used his speed, skill and powerful shooting to terrorise the opposition penalty area.
"I enjoyed playing here and I'll return home with satisfaction," said Youness reflecting on his maiden appearance in Bangladesh's domestic scene.
"I'll be busy playing in the Moroccan National Championship starting September 18 but if I am free, I'll come to Bangladesh again," said Youness, who plays for the struggling Moroccan First Division club Kentira Athletic Club.
Born in Sidi Yahia Gharb, a small township near Rabat, Youness fell in love with the sport like any kid in the football-crazy North African nation. With his father being a player and coach and uncle a footballer it was easy for him to join Kenitra's youth programme. It took him five years to get into the senior team.
Now a semi-professional Youness dreams of playing in Europe.
"Moroccan players are spread over Asia, mostly in the Middle East and they have started coming to South Asia, in Malaysia, Hong Kong too. But the top players are in Europe and I also dream about playing there," he said.
When asked whether he planned to return to Dhaka again, Youness said that it all depend on the amount of time he got during the off season.
"If the terms and conditions are good, next time I'll consider offers from other big clubs in Dhaka."
Asked to point out the problems Sheikh Russel faced in both the Premier League and the NFL, he gave a detailed explanation.
"We had some problem in the midfield due to the restrictions on foreign recruits allowed to play per match. We finished runners-up in the league as there were two more Moroccans in the midfield. But the biggest setback for our team was not having its own practice ground like our rivals," observed Youness.
Youness, who had to travel outside the capital during the National League, said that football in the country is developing.
"The big four teams like Muktijoddha, Brothers, Abahani and Mohammedan have really good players. Rangpur is an excellent venue. The ground at Mirpur is well maintained but I think Rangpur is the best."
He also tipped Muktijoddha to retain the National League title despite their 4-2 defeat to Brothers. "Muktijoddha have the players to win this tournament," said Youness, who was however critical about refereeing standards.
"You have to get rid of this kind of referring. Officials have to be impartial otherwise the game will suffer."
When asked to single out a young player who impressed him most in the NFL, Youness was all praise for Jhenidah Mohammedan's Bashir Ahmed.
"Bangladeshi footballers have good technique but they lack stamina. They will also need more facilities, that is practice grounds for each club if they want to progress," were the last words of the Moroccan.