Male' Maldives: Bangladesh Under-23 head coach Maruful Haque criticised refereeing decisions throughout the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament after his side's 1-1 draw against Maldives ended their hopes of reaching the final.
Bangladesh entered their final group-stage match knowing that a victory over the hosts would secure a place in the championship match. However, they were held to a draw by Maldives, leaving them with three points from three matches after recording three consecutive stalemates.
The result saw Bangladesh finish the tournament unbeaten but outside the top two positions. Their campaign began with a goalless draw against Pakistan before another 0-0 stalemate against Afghanistan. The draw against Maldives ultimately proved insufficient to keep their title hopes alive.
Pakistan and Afghanistan advanced to the final after finishing above Bangladesh in the standings.
Speaking after the match, Haque expressed disappointment over what he described as poor officiating throughout the competition, claiming it had played a significant role in his team's failure to reach the final.
"From day one I said Bangladesh came here not to gain experience, we came here to become champions," Haque said.
"In my opinion, Bangladesh should have become champions of this tournament. We could not achieve that because of bad refereeing and bad decisions. From the Pakistan match and throughout the tournament, we were deprived by refereeing decisions."
The experienced coach suggested that some decisions appeared intentional, although he did not specify particular incidents.
Despite his frustration, Haque apologised for any heated moments that occurred during the match and described them as part of the emotions of football.
"If there were incidents on the field, it was the heat of the moment. This is football, and I hope for the best moving forward," he said.
Haque also offered a candid assessment of Maldivian football, comparing the current national team with the Maldives side he faced during previous SAFF Championship competitions.
"I played against Maldives in 2015 or 2016, and that team was much better in terms of approach, fitness, intelligence, technique and tactics," he said.
"That team was very different from this one. I think only two or three players from the current squad were part of that generation."
The Bangladesh coach further stated that facing stronger challenges and higher standards was necessary for the development of football in the Maldives.
"I believe (Maldives) players must face real tests and real challenges. That is how football improves," he said.
While disappointed by the outcome, Haque highlighted the value of international competition for the development of his young squad.
"Players are gaining experience every day. This experience will help them become better players and improve their performances in the future," he said.
Bangladesh leave the tournament without a defeat but also without a victory, drawing all three of their matches. The result ended their hopes of competing for the title, while Pakistan and Afghanistan booked their places in the final of the tournament, which was organised to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Maldivian football.
