Sports Reporter

Bangladesh Football Federation president Kazi Salahuddin has publicly expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of the national team and its head coach Jamie Day in the recently-concluded Three Nations Cup in Nepal, where Bangladesh finished as runners-up.

The BFF boss, following a meeting with Day and his deputy Stuart Watkiss, told media that he hoped the team would emerge as champions, adding that the BFF has asked for a written report on the performance of the team from the coaching staff.

“I am not entirely satisfied with his explanation, but he has his own arguments. He said the team conceded two goals in the final but did not concede any in the previous four or five matches. He will submit a written report within a few days,” Salahuddin told media.

Bangladesh started the tournament with a 1-0 win over Kyrgyzstan U-23 and were then held to a goalless draw by Nepal in the last round-robin match before a 2-1 defeat against the hosts in the final.

As much as the performance, it was the coach’s experimentation with the team which apparently irked the BFF higher-ups. Salahuddin, during the tournament, had repeatedly told media that he wanted his best team to play to win the title. Day, on the other hand, was intent on testing out youngsters with the squad till the last game.

“The coach claimed he played his best eleven in the final and the ones who did not get in were due to fitness. I said you couldn’t bring the result, which he conceded. We argued over the points,” Salahuddin said.

Day was given a two-year extension to his contract in August last year following a fairly satisfactory first two years in charge, during which time he saw Bangladesh through to the last 16 of the Asian Games before navigating the senior team through a difficult World Cup Qualifying playoff.

However, the team’s failure to reach the final in Bangabandhu Gold Cup, SAFF Championship and SA Games since then and the second-place finish in the Three Nations Cup has put his job on the line.

In reply to a question about whether the BFF was contemplating any change in that position, Salahuddin said: “If they don’t perform, anything can happen. However, considering everything it (change) is not possible now. But I can’t say what will happen after the World Cup Qualifiers (in June). Anything can happen. It all depends on result,” Salahuddin said.