National head coach Lodewijk de Kruif omitted three more footballers from his Saff Championship preparation, trimming the squad to 24, Monday.
The three excluded footballers are custodian Ziaur Rahman Zia and midfielders Pranotosh Kumar Das and Mejbabul Haque Manik. Zia was one of the four preliminarily called goalkeepers along with Shahidul Alam Sohel, Mamun Khan and Biplob Bhattacharjee. However, he is a little behind in experience and stature in comparison with the rest, which eventually made de Kruif leave him.
The Dutch coach omitted the two holding midfielders Pranotosh and Manik as there are better players in the squad available to him. However, Pranotosh, a former national captain, said he is carrying a leg injury but still has a chance to make it in the final squad given that he proves himself fit by August 15. “I am consulting with Dr. Debashish of BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) about my injury and will try my best to get fit. De Kruif told me that the door will be open for me subject to my fitness,” said the experienced midfielder.
The Dutch now has Ariful Islam, Keshto Kumar Das, Waly Faisal, Nasiruddin Chowdhury, Md. Linkon, Atikur Rahman Mishu, Yeamin Munna, Rezaul Karim and Raihan Hasan in the defence. Mamunul Islam, Jamal Bhuiyan, Sohel Rana, Zahid Hossain, Omar Faruk Babu, Mobarak Hossian Bhuiyan and Germany based Reasat Khaton are in the midfield. Wahed Ahmed, Shakahwat Hossain Rony, Toklis Ahmed, Mithun Chowhdury and Zahid Hasan Emily are competing for the forward line. The head coach’s strategy and characteristic regarding the team can be easily read here as all the players are attacking-minded.
The team went through a full-fledged practice session at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the morning and enjoyed a respite in the afternoon. The national team is scheduled to travel to Thailand on July 27 for a ten-day tour and de Kruif may exclude another one or two before finalising his squad.