Morsalin and ‘family members’ experience an Eid to remember

Despite being thousands of miles away from beloved family and friends, the booters celebrated Eid with contentment in Bengaluru today following a much-desired achievement the night before.  

Bangladesh confirmed the semifinal berth of the SAFF Championship for the first time in 14 years. It would have been a totally different mood for the Bangladesh contingent today had the Bhutan fixture went against their favour.

Earlier in the morning, a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction were evident on their faces as they proceeded to offer the Eid-ul-Adha prayer. Faisal Ahmed Fahim was the first player to arrive at the lobby of Renaissance Hotel in Bengaluru. One by one, others emerged – the likes of Mojibur Rahman Jonny, Sohel Rana, Rakib Hossain, Sheikh Morsalin, Rabiul Hasan, Isa Faisal, Rahmat Mia, Tariq Raihan Kazi, Jamal Bhuiyan, Suman Reza.

Photo: BFF

Accompanied by team officials and sports journalists covering the regional football extravaganza, the jubilant footballers walked to a nearby Eidgah. The whole team were allowed to skip training today but have only a gym session scheduled later in the afternoon.

Photo: BFF

Unlike some of the men in red and green, Isa, Suman and others are celebrating Eid without family members for the first time. The footballers are missing traditional food, made on Eid occasions, as well. The team manager had requested the officials at the team hotel to make desserts such as Semai and Laccha.

As India and Kuwait are also staying at the same hotel, some of the Indian players including Sahal Abdul Samad, Anwar Ali, Rahim Ali and others returned to the hotel after offering prayers and they also captured groupies like their Bangladeshi counterparts.

Photo: BFF

"In 2018, we also celebrated Eid with pleasure in the Philippines after beating Qatar in the Asian Games. This time too, we are also happy to celebrate Eid away from family after qualifying for the SAFF Championship semifinal for the first time in 14 years," said Sohel Rana, adding that they had sweets at a Philippines mosque but no such arrangement was here in Bengaluru.

"It is the first time that I am celebrating Eid away from my family members and feel really bad. I talked to my father this morning and the family members are happy because I will return home within a few days. Besides, I am also thrilled after winning the match against Bhutan," said right-back Isa, adding that they are looking forward to giving more against Kuwait in the semifinals.

"To be honest, I am spending time with my teammates like family members. We are satisfied and happy because we wanted a win on the occasion of Eid," said Morsalin who once celebrated Eid in India while he was there to play a U-14 tournament for BKSP.

Photo: BFF

"The joy of this Eid has increased by winning yesterday's match, which also confirmed our semifinal," said Rakib Hossain, adding that he also has the experience of missing the company of family members due to domestic commitments.

Defender Alamgir Mollah said, "I am celebrating Eid outside the country for the first time. The joy of this Eid is boundless because we achieved our target." 

Alomgir and company are "now looking forward to achieving a big target of playing the final" but, in their penultimate hurdle, a mighty Kuwait block their path on Saturday.