Rene Koster, the head coach of the Bangladesh national U-16 team is focused to lift the Saff U-16 Championship title starting from July 20 at Kathmandu.
The Bangladesh team will depart for the Nepalese capital today as the Dutch coach Tuesday expressed to go slow, but steady over the tournament. He was focusing upon building the team also. “The goal is to build the players of tomorrow who will play in the national team in the same style. That’s the goal and the players will obtain a good experience playing in the international circuit. Wherever we play we want to win it and in Nepal it is not be an exception,” revealed Koster.
However, the Dutch admitted the short acquaintance with the team. “I have been involved with the team for about a week and my job is to insert the technical and tactical aspect and in the age-level that is very important. In all the training sessions I have worked with the ball, how to control, how to play one to one and others,” he added.
Koster had his own thoughts over the fitness level of the team and said it is not very important in the age group. “At 15 or 16 they can run a whole day. It’s all about implanting the tactics and techniques. It’s not the national team, they are older, honest confession is that the physical condition is not that up to mark, but we can work on it.
“They are trying their best. There are some talented players. The conditions of Nepal will not be a problem and we are going there three days before so hopefully we will adopt with the conditions,” opined the Dutch.
Talking about the opponents Koster preferred to focus only upon his team. “I am not worried about the opponents. As Maldives is not playing there are seven teams all I want to say that I am concerned with my team and I focus to win. I only care about my team,” said Koster
The Dutch coach thought his players are good learners and he hopes “some players will shine in the future.”
According to Rene, “There are three to four players who are very skillful. Bangladesh coaches are not very helpful as they keep their position high, but coaches are to remain in the same level to sort the problems out, the communication process is not very comfortable, overall the team is good and cool. They are good learners.”
Al-Amin Tushar and Saif Shamsud are the dependable forwards in the team while Shawon, Bishwanath and Badshah carry the experience of playing in Japan and Iran. Goalkeeper Pappu and midfielders Mithun and Oni are also expected to generate power in the junior side.
Defending champions Pakistan will also feature in the 10-day 2nd Saff Championship in Nepal. The draw for the Championship will be held during the managers' meeting on July 19.
