De Kruif looking positive

Bangladesh coach Lodewijk de Kruif was looking at the positives after a narrow 1-0 defeat against Tajikistan in AFC Asian Cup qualification playoff in Dhaka yesterday, which left his side with a 6-0 aggregate loss and waiting for an elimination playoff against Bhutan in September and October.

The 46-year-old coach, who will leave for Netherlands tomorrow, hoped he and the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) could together build on this positivity for a better team in coming days.

Having lost the first leg 5-0 in Dushanbe last week, Bangladesh put in a much-improved performance at home yesterday, although they lost the match courtesy of an eighth-minute free-kick from Tajikistan defender Nazarov Akhtam, which took a deflection off the wall before beating the Bangladesh goalkeeper.

“It was very unfortunate to concede a goal from a set piece so early. It was a deflected shot or else the goalkeeper could have easily taken the ball to initiate an attack from there. There was no luck at that moment,” the Dutchman said at the post-match press conference.

“But I have to give credit to my boys... In 90 minutes we created a lot of chances. We deserved a goal; maybe we deserved a win because I cannot count any chances from Tajikistan today. I think the only team that deserved a win today was Bangladesh,” de Kruif added.

The coach, who was brought back by the local game's governing body for this particular tie, answered cryptically when asked about his chances of returning to Bangladesh.

“I have a contract with my club back home. But we will talk about everything tomorrow with the president [BFF president]. I am very open to it. Mr. President is also very open and positive. We have to talk about the plans. I have a very warm heart for Bangladesh and Bangladesh football. If I can help the country in lifting football, I'm there for you,” said de Kruif.