A 28- member Bangladesh National football team left for Qatar Saturday night for an intensive two weeks training camp. Bangladesh booters are expected to play two practice matches for their preparation for Asian Games and SAFF.
Prior to their departure Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) arranged a press conference yesterday to provide details of the team.
New English coach Jamie Day who arrived in the city three weeks back has been conducting training sessions. Jamie spent most of his trying to improve fitness of the players as he hardly had time to look on to other tactical aspects.
He seems to be trying out to figure about the actual strength of the Bangladesh team and then adopt the methods he wants the national booters to play in the two practice matches against either Qatar U-23 team or club sides.
“We have been training intensively for the last three weeks and the boys worked hard with some tough sessions like running and fitness work.
So far I am satisfied and pleased with efforts shown by the boys and their attitude,” Jamie Day expressed his initial views at a press briefing at the BFF House yesterday.
Bangladesh U-23 team have been drawn in Group B of the upcoming Asian Games alongside Qatar, Thailand and Uzbekistan and new English believes the experience in the Asian Games against the top ranking teams should be helpful for the team in the upcoming September’s SAFF Championship.
Out of the 28 members going to Qatar, 20 players including three seniors have been picked for the U-23 team while the remaining eight will be going there as part of buildup for the SAFF Championship squad. Some other senior players who are nursing injury may join the squad when they are fit.
“I think we have to be realistic. If you look at our group in the Asian Games, it’s a tough one but I think it will be good for the boys to go up against strong oppositions and hopefully our preparations and hard work in the previous weeks may help us to select a good team for the tournament.
“Also as I said before, we will pick the squad for the SAFF Championship after some of the other boys come back. If the boys play according to plan then there is good chance of tour team doing well in the SAFF Championship,” said Jamie.
English confided to the journalist that he would like Bangladesh to play attacking football and keep their defense solid.
After their return from Qatar, the national team will fly out for South Korea for a 12-day training camp and two practice matches before heading off to Jakarta to take part in the Asian Games.
