National football head coach Lodewijk de Kruif included three Bangladeshi expatriates in the 29 member preliminary squad for the India and Pakistan Fifa Friendlies yesterday. The Holland based coach conducted a talent hunt program in England two months ago and the three names - Jamal Bhuiyan of Denmark, Ananda Rahman of Australia and Reasat Khaton of Germany - were included in the list at his recommendation. Among the three expatriates, Jamal Bhuiyan of Denmark tried his luck in 2011 but after arriving in Dhaka, was not able to produce the required documents and had to fly back. Kazi Nabil Ahmed, the chairman of the National Teams Committee of BFF admitted that they are aware of the inclusions. “De Kruif sent the three names and he has asked us to scrutinize their papers to see if they qualify to represent Bangladesh. If they meet the criteria, if they qualify then as per Kruif’s expectation, they will be assets for Bangladesh national team,” said Nabil. The chairman went on to add that the BFF would look into why Jamal Bhuiyan failed to produce his papers on his previous visit to Bangladesh. Dutch coaching duo Lodewijk de Kruif and Rene Koster are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on May 17 or 18 and will take over the charges immediately. Of the 29 players, Rezaul Karim, Nasirul Islam Nasir and custodian Mostak are still nursing injuries and may be replaced. Brothers Union winger Yusuf Sifat, who played well in the just concluded Bangladesh Premier League, was the lone new face in the squad. The players have been asked to report to manager Iqbal Hossain at the BFF House on May 15.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
