The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) yesterday announced a fresh list of 31 players for the SAFF Championship camp keeping sacked Brazilian coach Edson Silva Dido's choice of 23.
As expected the BFF recalled goalkeeper Biplob Battacharajee, defenders Rajani Kanta Barman and Ariful Islam, midfielders Zahid Hossain and Zahed Parvez Chowdhury whom the ruling body of country's football deemed key components in the making a balanced national team for the biggest sporting event of the region.
Dido was sacked on Monday for ignoring these experienced players and forming a youthful side that came under heavy criticism. The BFF also considered midfielders Pranotosh Kumar Das and Mehdi Hasan Ujjal and striker Mohammad Rony in the national camp to be conducted by new coach Shahidur Rahman Shantoo.
’We think the squad that Dido picked earlier was not experienced enough because some vital players were ignored. We also believed that his bust up with eight players in the national team camp at the BKSP in July played a part in his selection." said national team management committee chairman Badal Roy while announcing a fresh team at the BFF Bhaban yesterday.
"Considering these things the BFF executive committee has decided to sack an unmoved Dido and announce a fresh team in the best interest of the country," said Roy, a former national player.
Roy also read out a statement explaining the reason behind the termination of the Brazilian.
"No doubt Edson Silva Dido is a good coach, but he was sacked because of his arrogance that at times bordered beyond his jurisdiction. Besides, we also felt that he misused his extreme power in the selection," said Roy whose committee has time and again openly criticised Dido's supreme authority over the selection of the national team.
"We tried to convince him to form a strong squad with best available players, but he did not." said Roy, adding that it was secondary whether Bangladesh would lift the SAFF Championship when it takes place in Dhaka from Decembers 13.
Responding to a question, the former national midfielder said that they did not interfere with Dido's activities since he took over in January.
“But after he finalised the 23-member squad for the SAFF Championship we tried to convince him to reconsider his decision. But unfortunately he defied everything." said Roy.
Asked why they did nort terminate Dido before declaring his choice of 23-member squad, Roy jumped the gun on the press.
“His selection evoked heavy criticism in the press as well as fans across the country forcing us to sit in an emergency meeting and take the decision," Roy replied.
BFF president Kazi Salahuddin, who for a change did not attend the briefing despite staying in his office, ruled out any crisis after the sacking of Dido.
"Coaches will come and go, players will come and go and it is football," said Salahuddin.
"If a management thinks the coach is doing wrong it has the right to sack a coach and we did exacdythat."
The BFF boss also cited the example of former Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari. “He was sacked just three months after his appointment and it doesn't mean Scolari is not a good coach."
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Aminul Haq (Mohammedan). Biplob Battacharjee (Abahani) Mazharul Islam I limel (Sheikh Russel) and Mostaqur Rahman (Arambagh KS).
Defenders: Rajani Kanta Barman (Abahani), Ariful Islam (Mohammedan), Mamun Mia (Mohammedan), Rezaui Karim Reza (Farashganj) and Al Amin (No club), Nasir 1 iossain (Mohammedan) and Mohiuddln Ibnul Siraji (Abahani), Wali Faisal (Mohammedan) and Atiqur Rahman Mishu (Abahani).
Midfielders: Zahid Hossain
(Mohammedan), Zahed Parvez Chowdhury (Abahani). Pranotosh Kumar Das (Abahani), Mehdi Hasan Ujjal (Abahani), Manik (Farashganj), Monayem Khan Raju (Feni Soccer Club) and Maruf Ahmed (Sheikh Russel), Shahedul Islam (Abahani), Alamgir Kabir Rana (Mohammedan). Emon Babu (Sheikh Russel). Mamunul Islam (Mohammedan), Imtiaz Sultan Zitu (Farashganj) and Choumrin R a k h i n e (Rahmatganj).
Strikers: Enamul Haque (Abahani), Abdul Baten Komol (Mohammedan), Zahid I lasan Emily (Mohammedan) Mohammad Rony (Sheikh Russel) and Mithun Chowdhury (Chittagong Abahani).