Unknown quantity Mexico remain a headache for the Bangladesh hockey team, who fly to Singapore today to take part in the Hockey World League Round 2, scheduled to be held from January 17-25. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is still to confirm whether Mexico have pulled out from the event although the world’s leading online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, is claiming that they have indeed withdrawn from the tournament.
Mexico, more popular in football than hockey, finished second in the Hockey World League Round 1 after competing against Brazil and Gautemala.
Coach Mamunur Rashid admitted yesterday that playing against an unknown opponent has its disadvantages. “We know nothing about Mexico. Though they are currently ranked 35th, five places behind us, we cannot take anything lightly. We know nothing about their playing style or their approach.”
Bangladesh have been grouped with a strong Poland side, Japan and Mexico so the match against Mexico is quite crucial. Bangladesh have to beat Mexico in Group B in order to finish at least third and avoid Malaysia, the top-seeded team of Group A, in the quarterfinals. Oman, hosts Singapore and the Ukraine are the other teams of Group A.
Ahead of the tournament, Bangladesh will play three practice matches – against Malaysia A tomorrow, Malaysia Under-23 this Tuesday and Oman two days later.
Bangladesh’s first match of the Hockey World League Round 2 is against Japan this Saturday. Bangladesh’s next opponents will be Japan on January 18 followed by Poland on January 20.
Meanwhile, with the tournament just around the corner, the Bangladesh hockey team received a big boost. Pakistani sports-gear manufacturer, Ihsan, will provide all the Bangladesh team members with composite hockey sticks, covers and hockey shoes.
Bangladesh will also reap the benefits of a high-profile coach during the tournament as the FIH has organised a five-day coaching programme for the aspiring coaches from today till this Thursday. Former national forward and assistant manager of Bangladesh, Rafiqul Islam Kamal, BKSP coach and former national player Jahid Hossain Raju and former player Rubel Hossain will attend the course.
