The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

National football coach Shafiqul Islam Manik Thursday expressed his total satisfaction over the team's performance in the just concluded Merdeka Cup Football Tournament in Malaysia.

Talking to the reporters, he said that their result in the tournament was not so bad and the boys played positive football there.

"We achieved whatever we needed in the tournament to go forward except a good result. I am satisfied with the boys' performance," Manik said, adding, "the boys gave their hundred percent."

He, however, admitted that their result in the tournament could have been different if "I had a few good strikers."

The new coach said that during the tournament, he found out lack of power and stamina among the booters. "We've to urgently overcome this for the upcoming Grand Royal Challenge Cup to be held November 11-21 in Myanmar."

Asked about the preparations for the ensuing tournament in Myanmar, Manik said he would concentrate on building a team for the tournament stressing performance and consistency.

Earlier, in the group phase matches of the just concluded Merdeka Cup Football Tournament, Bangladesh lost to both Mozambique and Myanmar by 1-0 goal and held Vietnam 2-2.