Goalkeeper Srabon apologises after late error in SAFF semi-final: 'Truly sorry, Bangladesh'
Goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Srabon has apologised today after Bangladesh lost 1-0 to Pakistan in the SAFF Championship semi-final at the National Stadium. Bangladesh's run ended in the semi-final after conceding a goal from his late error.
Srabon had guarded Bangladesh's goal until the 85th minute of the match. He dealt with several Pakistan attacks and kept his team in the game with save after save. It seemed the match might be decided in extra time.
But in the 86th minute, while taking a throw-in, Srabon put the ball at an opponent's feet. Abdul Samad scored from that mistake to put Pakistan ahead, and that goal shattered the hosts' dream. Pakistan reached the final.
Srabon faced criticism on social media over the conceded goal. In a statement on his official Facebook page today, he said he had never imagined he would have to write such words with a grief-stricken heart, that it was an unwanted mistake which changed everything, and that it would remain a lesson for him.
In the same statement, Srabon also wrote that he had dreamed of celebrating with everyone the previous night, and that he was apologising to the coach, his teammates and everyone in the country: 'Truly sorry, Bangladesh.' His body language after the defeat also showed how remorseful he was.
Earlier in the group stage, Bangladesh beat Bhutan 1-0 and then defeated Sri Lanka 4-0. With a full six points, Thomas Dooley's team reached the semi-final as Group B champions, keeping clean sheets in both matches. Hamza Choudhury, Mohammad Ibrahim, Farhan Ali Wahid, Shamit Shome and Rakib Hossain scored in the group stage.
Bangladesh fielded eight expatriate footballers in the starting eleven in the semi-final. The in-form team had dreamed of becoming SAFF champions after 23 years. Pakistan coach Nolberto Solano also had not expected such a mistake from Srabon, according to the report.
In the day's first semi-final, defending champions India beat Bhutan 2-1 to reach the SAFF final for a record 14th time. Pakistan will face India in the title match on 17 November.
