Bangladesh’s final squad of 20 players did not go as per the wishes of head coach Lodewijk de Kruif as midfielder Monaem Khan Raju had to be excluded because his date of registration expired earlier. With the non eligibility of Raju the squad automatically came down to 20, fulfilling the official quota of the Saff Championship.
Bangladesh team went through a full-fledged practice session at the Police Headquarters ground yesterday morning and all the players looked lively. India, the defending champions practiced at the same ground before Bangladesh’s spell.
It was interesting to see that the goalkeeping coach Kees Kalk shot into the business as quick as possible and kept the goalkeepers busy with long range free kicks. He was a good free kick taker indeed as the Bangladesh keepers were made bound to stretch to their limits at the top corners of the posts.
The Dutch head coach expressed satisfaction over the response of the goalkeepers. “Kees Kalk had been doing a great job and the keepers have responded well, I am slowly integrating all the departments ahead of the first match,” said the coach.
However, he had to admit the reality. He was concerned over the injury of skipper and playmaker Mamunul Islam and said the injury problem has hampered his planning. “It was unfortunate, but I have to cope with the circumstances. Injury problems have hampered my planning more often, but I have to look forward with what I have,” said de Kruif.
“I think Mamunul is about 80% fit and if he is not 100% fit I will not put him in the field, the career of a player is far more important. I hope Mamun and Sohel will be fit before the match, the medical team has been doing a hard work,” added the head coach.
Meanwhile, Mamunul Islam said the pain has reduced and he will run full-fledged in the practice session and observe whether it increases or not. “I am trying my best to attain the full fitness and I am hopeful to make in the eleven. I am also not willing to play if I am not fit, the 100% fit players are the first priority,” said the skipper.
Bangladesh team had their practice sessions at the Police Headquarters, Naxal in the morning.
Goalkeepers-Mamun Khan, Biplob Bhattacharjee, Ziaur Rahman Zia.
Defenders-Waly Faisal, Ariful Islam, Nasiruddin Chowdhury, Md. Linkon, Atikur Rahman Mishu,Raihan Hasan.
Midfielders-Mamunul Islam, Mobarak Hossain Bhuiyan, Jamal Bhuiyan, Omar Faruk Babu, Sohel Rana Zahid Hossain. Forwards-Toklis Ahmed, Zahid Hasan Emily, Shakhwat Hossain Rony, Mithun Chowdhury, Wahed Ahmed.