Maldives, who withdrew from the regional meet's football competition at the last minute, stunned the football world when they held Asian giants South Korea to a goalless draw in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

On the other hand, a day later holders Bangladesh lost to hosts Pakistan 1-0 in the last Group A match that forced Shahidur Rahman Shantoo's charges to pack their bags early.

However for a change, the local football authorities have had the courage to at least shoulder the responsibility for the flop.

"I think there is no scope to blame the players for the debacle in the prestigious event because we failed to provide them with the best possible facilities," said Anwarul Haq Helal, general secretary of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).

Helal said that they were not in a position to give the players enough time to prepare before sending them to Pakistan.

"We got all the players together only for seven days because of the Premier Division League," said Helal.

He also informed that the BFF was thinking of forming a guideline on the national team's preparations.

"Maldives are improving because they have a plan in place. We will meet soon to take a decision about the matter and we should take the initiative to avoid further humiliation in the international level," he added.