The Bangladesh national football players and coaching staff are taking the “deferral” news of the much awaited Bangabandhu Gold Cup international tournament as a positive side as they believe more time will give them the opportunity to prepare extra.
The first international friendly tournament in more than a decade, Bangabandhu Gold Cup, was earlier expected to kick off on January 16, but is now almost certain that the tournament will defer. A fixed date is yet to be announced by the Bangladesh Football Federation while recent statements from the federation’s general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag indicated, though they are eying Jan 16, but it could be delayed by two to seven days.
However, under the guidance of interim coach Saiful Bari Titu the residential training camp of the national team at the BKSP is in full swing from January 1. Though captain Mamunul Islam is down with fever is yet to join while defensive midfielder Jamal Bhuiyan, who flew to Denmark after Sheikh Jamal DC’s club friendly against Korean club Busan IPark and returned yesterday, is expected to join the camp today.
“The date (for the Bangabandhu Gold Cup) has not been fixed yet but we are doing our job regularly and training twice a day. The main priority in the training is on physical plus technical and tactical sides as well,” said Titu yesterday. “It would be good for the team if the tournament is delayed because then we will have more time for the preparation and can also play two practice matches before the event,” added Titu who also informed that players like Emily, Zahid, Mithun, Hemanta and Topu are yet to gain full fitness.
National striker Jahid Hossain Emily also echoed the same tone with Titu saying, “If the Bangabandhu Gold Cup defers it could be for one week and it wouldn’t hamper us. Rather it will be better for the team. The preparation will be better and we will get more practice time.”
Emily, however, also admitted that it would be better for the players and the camp if the date of the tournament is fixed.
Young forward Wahed Ahmed also said the deferment of the tournament will help them get fully prepared though defender Linkon pointed the negative aspect of the issue.
“Every tournament, domestic league are deferred for this event. It’s January and there’s still no fixed date for the Federation Cup, Premier league. Everyone’s fitness is high now and I think it would not be any way good if the tournament is shifted once again,” said Linkon.