Dear brothers, most of us are hopelessly out of reality. We are stuck in a certain "golden era" which is in truth a distant memory. Where were the "traditional minnows" then? They were babes in craddle. Now they have grown up and are ready to give the "powers" a hard time. We are just witnessing that.Others are fast progressing while we are not. The so called "powers" are not. Its not that we are sinking. The fact is others are rising.
How foolish to think only India and Bangladesh have professional leagues in the region. Though small Maldives has the most vibrant professional league in the region. So many Europeans, Africans and even south Americans are playing in that league. The results are amazing. The Maldivian clubs are on par with Singaporean, Malaysian and Hong kong clubs when it comes to AFC cup. Do we know what AFC cup is? AFC cup is only second to AFC champions league. Apart from Maldives, all other SAARC clubs are playing in AFC presidents cup.
Dear brothers. AFC presidents cup is the weakest and least important. Its intended for the weakest countries in Asia. Maldives regularly plays in ASEAN region. The Maldivians dont consider themselves SAARC when it comes to football.They are given the chance to be in ASEAN group. Check AFC site if u have doubts. They are regulrly playing with national sides from Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. Its no wonder why Maldives are ranked above Bangladesh in FIFA ranking. Maldives National team and their club sides are coached by experienced Europeans.
What do u mean by "Being stuck inside the WORST footballing region in Asia is a dead end"? Whats the meaning of this? Dont you think Bangladesh with a population of 100 million plus has a responsibility? If not whos responsibility it is? Are u telling me its Bhutan or Maldives?
Ever since SAFF championship introduced in Kathmandu 1997 Maldives reached all semifinals. So far five championships have taken place and they reached the last four on each occasion. This feat is matched by India only. Out of five championships, Maldives played three finals. of these three finals, twice they were runners up and once champions. Only India had a better record. We Bangladeshis may be proud of our ego. We played in three finals and lost twice. The only time we won, it was on home soil against whom? Well It was "minnows" Maldives. Do you remember how they played or you are still in 80s when our side were enjoying goal feasts against them? My dear brothers. That was 2003 and u could not have erazed a memory as recent as that.They played good attacking football for 120 minutes and produced a 1-1 result infront of us. They lost in the penalty shootout by 5 to 3. Now after five years We Bangladeshis are "shocked" to learn that Maldives finally triumphed. How amazing? How stupid?
My dear friends. This is utter arrogance. Maldives may be the whipping boys of the region some time in history. It may not be a long one. Sure enough, we enjoyed by winning against them without even raising a sweat. But time has changed alot. Do we know how hard they are working to develop football in Maldives. None of SAARC countries are doing that. I was in Maldives to see what they are doing for my self. They are the only country in the region with a sound youth system. I may not be surprised to see Maldives thrash India, Bangladesh by big scores in a near future. Do we know they have the best scoring records in SAFF history? Its here in Dhaka that they beat Bhutan 6-0 in 2003 while we managed only three past Bhutan in the same tourney. That was a record until Maldives broke it themselves again by thrashing Afganistan 9-1 in 2005 at Karachi.If you consider these facts, you would realise how high the mountain is for us to climb in order to remain a "power" in the region.
Its none other then foolishness to think we can score 8 goals again and again past Maldives. They may score that much gainst us if we dont wake up in time. This is the reality today. Eventhough Maldives is a tiny nation, without doubt it is a giant in south asian football. C,mon guys, They are the champions of the region. Its no coincidence. Since the introduction of SAFF championship in 1997 does any one remember when we were able to beat Maldives in open play? I am sure they have won a handful against us whether we like it or not. I was in Maldives about 8 years ago to witness a game between Maldives and Bangladesh in a tournament called golden jubilee tourney. India and Nepal also took part. I never saw the booters so much outplayed as that in my life. Though Maldives scored only one or two, they had more then two dozen good chances to humiliate us.I think we were lucky to avoid them in 2005 and 2008.
Be realistic. There are no easy opponents anymore in the region.Its not only India we have to respect. If We want to bring back the glory days, then we have to work harder. Laughing and Joking about past results will not help us in that direction.