Bangladesh national football team’s head coach Lodewijk de Kruif has announced he will field three senior players in Bangladesh team for the Asian Games with the players being midfielder Mamunul Islam, defender Atikur Rahman Mishu and midfielder Jamal Bhuiyan.
The Dutch coach was talking to the press at BKSP yesterday. With ace forward Zahid Hasan Emily withdrawing himself from the squad due to injury, only the three aforesaid senior players remained in the squad. “Emily told me frankly that he would not be able to produce his best as he is yet to regain his full fitness. I also realized that it is not possible for me to get the fully fit Emily in the next three weeks. So I accepted his request after thinking a lot. Mithun Chowdhury is also out as he is suffering from jaundice. So Mamunul, Mishu and Jamal remain the only three senior players. I may not call anyone more,” said de Kruif.
However, De Kruif was surprised to see the players getting overweight. “I am surprised to see many players developing belly fat after four months. I had clear idea of the players’ weight, but in the last four months since the India match, many players have become overweight. This has to be stopped. I had to cut my plans to get the players fit,” said the Dutchman.
The coach further added he would play a practice match four or five days later with a select XI at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. “The players are responding well and they need the practice match. I will go step by step, Sajib, Wahed and Rubel are working hard in the forward line and they will be efficient in due time,” hoped de Kruif.
Meanwhile, Assistant coach Saiful Bari Titu informed the players are having technical and tactical sessions and the workouts are well planned.
