Bangladesh head coach Lodewijk de Kruif expressed his concern regarding the fitness and injury situation of the national footballers and informed that playing two international friendlies in a very short time will actually backfire rather than benefit the booters.
As planned earlier, defending Saff champions Afghanistan showed their interest in playing an away friendly against Bangladesh on June 2. The Football Association of Singapore, meanwhile, informed that they would like to play against Bangladesh in another away friendly on May 30. If the two friendlies does take place, the Bangladesh footballers will get only 48 hours to recover.
Dutchman De Kruif emphasised on the importance of arranging two friendlies before Bangladesh face Kyrgyzstan in their 2018 Fifa World Cup Qualifiers (second round) opener on June 11 at Bangabandhu National Stadium but he added that playing two matches in such short notice will hinder the players’ progress.
“We have to play two friendlies. Afghanistan can’t play on [June] 4 and they want to play on 2. Singapore want to play on [May] 30th. What’s my concern is, it is not enough to recover in 48 hours so I have to change it,” said De Kruif last Thursday.
“My target is playing matches with the biggest group of my main team. I have to build them up again the right way. First thing is not to pick up an injury so they need rest,” he said before adding, “I told [Bangladesh Football Federation general secretary Abu Nayeem] Shohag that we need 72 hours to recover fully between the gap of two matches. Not possible (to play in 48 hours).”
De Kruif also said he expects much better performances from the national footballers plying their trade with premier league giants Sheikh Jamal DC and Sheikh Russel KC in the top-flight.
“At this moment, everybody has to be fit when we start our camp on [May] 22 or 23. It is a big concern if everybody will be able to stay fit. Not so fantastic at this moment,” he said.
“Mamunul [Islam] went off after 15 minutes. The injury was not very serious but still pain in the hamstring. If it was caused due to heat or the pitch then that is horrible. We need a good pitch if we want to play on the ground. There is a big concern for me.”
The Dutchman also talked about the possible inclusion of German-born Bangladeshi expatriate Reasat Khaton, who is now playing in the Philippines top-tier. “He made his flight two or three days ago from Germany to Manila to play on 7th May. He will play on May 14th, 17th, 24th, 30th. I gave him a deadline to come after the match on 24th because we need time,” said De Kruif.