Bangladesh coach Lodewijk de Kruif had credited his defensive organisation for keeping Australia to five goals, despite enjoying only 19 per cent of possession in that game last week. At home, the hooters were expected to fare much better against Jordan, who neither had the technical skill nor the speed to match the Socceroos.

However, the booters surrendered meekly, conceding four goals, three of which could have been kept out had the defenders been able to hold their line, especially on counterattacks. The coach was visibly dissat-

isfied with his defenders and blamed their lack of concentration and intent for the big defeat.

"The players should have kicked the ball out 30 yards when they conceded the first two goals. In the second half, there was a lack of concentration. [Atiqur Rahman] Meshu was tired; (Yeamin Ahmed] Munna was not fit for the 90-minute game. Yeasin [Ahmed] and [Monaem Khan] Raju came to me and complained about their tiredness. When you say things like that, you ought to lose," said the Dutchman in his post-match press briefing, adding that the second goal was a 'Santa Claus' gift.

The 45-year-old coach, however, backed his tactic of deploying a five-man defence as he felt it was the need of the hour to keep the

Jordanians at bay.

"They [Jordan] are a really good side. Our tactical plan was to start with 5-4-1 formation because we knew their two strikers are very good inside the box and they have good strength overlapping through both flanks,” explained de Kruif.

The coach felt the margin of defeat was not a fair reflection of the game, as his forwards wasted a number of chances, with winger Jewel Rana wasting two golden chances in the first half.

"We needed a little bit of luck and good organisation for a draw. Even if we had lost the match 1-0 or 2-0, it would have been all right. To create five scoring chances against such an opposition is a good thing. But if you can't take those chances, you will neverwin," saidthecoach.