Readers’ Forum

2019 AFC Asian Cup

In the World Cup Football 2018 qualification and the AFC Asian Cup finals 2019, forty nations have been divided into eight groups of five. The eight group winners and the four best group runners-up will advance to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualification as well as qualify for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup finals.
Asia Champions Australia, powerful Jordan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh will play home-and-away round-robin league matches in Group B. So far the strength and quality of each team is judged, it is really difficult for Bangladesh to capture one of the first two places. However, even if Bangladesh finish third in the group, they can hope for a berth in the Asian Cup finals 2019, comprising 24 teams for the first time.
Football is a game of goal, said Brazilian star Zico after unexpected defeat by Italy in 1982. Football is also a game of national catastrophe, Brazil proved it at home in the World Cup Football 2014.
To us, none of the two is as yet. But we want a distinction this time. Can our players deliver something different?

Khurshid Ara
Pabna