Daka, Bangladesh: Bangladesh head coach Thomas Dooley expressed his satisfaction after his side opened their campaign at the 15th SAFF Championship with a 1–0 victory over Bhutan, while praising defender Bishwanath Ghosh for his aggression and work rate after deploying him in an unfamiliar attacking role.
Mohammad Ibrahim came off the bench to score the decisive goal in the 69th minute at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Thursday, securing all three points for the hosts in their Group A opener. The Fortis FC forward made an immediate impact, finding the net just four minutes after replacing Bishwanath.
Dooley’s decision to use Bishwanath as a makeshift centre-forward was a calculated move to address Bangladesh’s shortage of a recognised number nine. However, despite showing commitment and creating problems for Bhutan’s defence, the regular full-back was unable to convert his opportunities.
Bishwanath came close in the 15th minute, sending a header narrowly wide of the near post following a cross from Rakib Hossain. He had another headed opportunity in the 39th minute, again from a Rakib delivery, but failed to find the target.
Despite those missed chances, Dooley was pleased with the defender’s contribution and explained that his aggressive approach made him an option worth exploring in the attacking position.
“We talked about how we don't have a number nine. We have to find one. And with Bishwanath, he is a very aggressive player… It's very difficult, but I want to let him play,” Dooley said at the post-match press conference.
“I want to put him in a position where he can help us the most. And that is up front. As a number nine, you need to go where it hurts. And he is not shy of that. He's going there. And that's why I was hoping so much that he would get a chance to score, but he wasn't lucky to get that ball in. But you know, I'm very happy with him,” he added.
The German-American coach revealed that the idea of using Bishwanath further forward had been on his mind since Bangladesh’s 2–1 victory over San Marino in June. During that match, Bishwanath played as a forward for approximately 34 minutes in the second half and impressed Dooley with his energy and movement.
“I have to put him in San Marino as a right forward. And he did an excellent job. He had two chances with the goalkeeper, assisting the second goal. The energy that he brings up front is very difficult for the defender when somebody like him comes, because he doesn't stop,” Dooley said.
“He's going full power and that's what I like about him. I talked to him last week and said I have a plan with him,” he added.
Bangladesh’s decision to use Bishwanath up front also came after a late setback before kick-off, with captain-designate Topu Barman suffering a muscle injury during the warm-up. The injury forced Dooley to make changes to his original plans, including adjustments to the defensive and midfield positions.
Bangladesh started with Mehedi Hasan Srabon in goal, while Tariq Kazi, Zidane Yousuf, Saad Uddin and Zayyan Ahmed formed the back four. Rakib Hossain and Foysal Ahmed Fahim operated on the wings, with Jamal Bhuyan and Shamit Shome in central midfield. Quazem Shah Kirmanee played in an advanced midfield role, while Bishwanath led the attack in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Dooley made his first change at half-time, bringing on Fahamedul Islam for Fahim. The decisive substitutions followed in the 65th minute, when Ibrahim replaced Bishwanath and Sohel Rana Jr came on for Jamal Bhuyan. Ibrahim then delivered the breakthrough four minutes later, turning Bangladesh’s pressure into the winning goal.
Although delighted with the result, Dooley acknowledged that his team could have been more clinical in front of goal. Bangladesh enjoyed spells of possession and created several opportunities but struggled to turn their attacking play into goals before Ibrahim’s intervention.
“I am overall, I obviously I'm happy with the game. We won the game. We want to get the three points. So that was okay,” he said.
“We also had like 20 to 30 minutes maybe in the first half, also 20 minutes in the second half where we knocked the ball around very well. We created chances, had actually a lot of opportunities, but you can only score goals also when you have players in the box,” he lamented.
The match attracted around 10,000 spectators, with Bangladesh beginning their home campaign with three valuable points despite a performance that left room for improvement in front of goal.
Bangladesh will next face Sri Lanka on November 11, while Bhutan are scheduled to meet Sri Lanka on November 8.
