Bangladesh’s Bishwanath Ghosh said that everyone in the defence, from the custodian to the players, needs to work together when his team plays Australia in Melbourne on Thursday in a World Cup Qualifier. Australia is a much better team than Bangladesh.
Since the hosts are 156 places higher in the FIFA Rankings than Bangladesh, the men in red and green are likely to play their defensive best. They usually do this when they are the favourites.
“Defending against Australia is not just the defenders’ job; the whole team has to work here,” Bishwanath Ghosh said in a video message released by the Bangladesh Football Federation after their second practise yesterday at the Yarraville Glory Football Club ground.
The right back, who has also been very important on offence, said, “Every player must give their all in their own positions if we want to do better against Australia.”
The defender for the Bashundhara Kings said that coach Javier Cabrera has been teaching his players how to work in the low and mid-blocks while staying ready to start counterattacks.
Mitul Marma, who made his start against Maldives in pre-qualifiers, may have the most important job to do since regular custodian Anisur Rahman Zico isn’t there.
“My goal as a custodian has always been to keep the other team from scoring.” The custodian for Sheikh Russel KC said, “I always try to do my best.”
In the last few games, our players have done a great job. I think we need to do more on the ground if we want to do better against a strong Australia. That’s why we got here earlier to get used to the weather.
Manager Amer Khan said that the players have been enjoying training in front of foreign fans in Melbourne, and they are looking forward to the same support from the crowd at Thursday’s game.
Bangladeshi fans have come to cheer on the boys during practise, which is fun for the players. There are times when it looks like we are playing a real game in front of the local fans during practise.
The former national football player said, “If the players can keep their inspiration, we can do something good in the game.”