Don’t see improvement under Cabrera, says Alfaz

With a month and a half left to Javier Cabrera's extended contract, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is yet to take any decision whether to extend with the Spaniard or look for a replacement.

The national team management committee, headed by BFF president Tabith Awal, will analyse his performance over the last three years before taking a final decision but Mohammedan coach Alfaz Ahmed feels Cabrera has failed to turn Bangladesh into a team during his tenure.

"To be honest, he could not make Bangladesh a team, something George Kottan did during his two-year stint. That is why Bangladesh had emerged SAFF champions and then finished second in the following edition under Kottan," Alfaz told The Daily Star.

"Can you show me a new player Cabrera brought that can represent Bangladesh in next four to five years? He could not find a striker to solve the goal-scoring problem of Bangladesh," the former national striker said, further asking whether there was any problem in fielding a good striker from the Bangladesh Championship League.

Former coach Jamie Day was dismissed due to deteriorating performances of the team, which was reflected in downward movement in FIFA ranking. The Bangladesh Football Federation and its former president Kazi Salahuddin had appointed Cabrera with a target of making progress in ranking through improved performances on the pitch.

However, Cabrera could improve barely improve the team's rankings in three years as his team won only eight out of 29 matches during this period, drawing six and losing 15 matches. The figures are quite similar to those under Day, who had helped Bangladesh win nine matches, draw five and lose 15 in 29 matches.

When Cabrera took responsibility, Bangladesh's FIFA ranking was 186 and it fell further to 192 in December, 2022. The Spaniard saw a bit of improvement as the team climbed to 184th at the end of the following year. The men in red and green moved up a place in February this year 2024 before slipping back to 185 in November.

Alfaz said that there is still no replacement for veteran defender Tapu Barman or midfielder Sohel Rana.

"It's acceptable if you don't get results initially but there is a sign of improvement. But unfortunately I did not see any such sign and still don't see Bangladesh improving in future under his guidance," added Alfaz.

Alfaz also criticised the ambiguity of the Spaniard's game plan during the last match against Maldives where he could not exploit his speedy wingers in absence of genuine striker.

Whether BFF retains Cabrera or not, the game's local governing body must think about grooming technically and tactically sound players from grassroots level, instead of giving emphasis on the senior team if it really wants the team to climb up in ranking.