GSP Representative and licensed Argentine Football Association coach Gonzalo led a team to the final match, in a tournament which is organized annually by the Bangladesh community in Muscat.
The tournament is made up of two phases. The first phase includes four groups with three teams in each group, along with a second phase made up of the best eight teams from the group phase. These 8 teams competed in elimination play, with a quarter-final, semi-final, and final game.
According to Coach Gonzalo, his team made the final game due to their high level of play. Unfortunately, however, they were unable to come away victorious. During the second half, with the game tied at 0-0, the referee awarded the opposing team with a penalty kick. Upset with the call, Gonzalo’s team interrupted play to ask the tournament authorities to cancel the referee’s decision.
The authorities ruled to let the play to stand, and because of this, the players responded by leaving the game. Although Coach Gonzalo pleaded with his team not to do so, they stated that they “could not allow the opposing team to ‘steal’ the championship”.
Despite this unfortunate scenario, the Bangladesh team asked Gonzalo to be their coach again in the next tournament. He accepted on the condition that the team compete until the very end of every match. Gonzalo stated, “If the team does well, God will bring them justice, and they have accepted that.” Gonzalo will look to guide his team to another finals appearance in the next Bangladesh community tournament.
