Dhaka, Nov 04: Bangladesh U-23 national team, captained by Aminul will leave for Guanjhou tonight to participate in the 16th Asian Games to be started from 7th November. Bangladesh will face Uzbekistan, Hong Kong and UAE in Group E.
A thirty-one member team started preparing for the tournament at BKSP back on August twenty. The team was reduced to twenty at the end of the month long campaign. The final squad gathered again on 31st October After a five-week break for the Federation Cup.
The players are a little inflicted according to Coach Robert Rubcic. “They are a little bit tired as the Federation Cup has just finished. We got very short time to prepare but I advised my boys to forget what went before and to concentrate on Asian Games. This is a very normal thing that players will have a very congested schedule,” said Rubcic.
Some of the players are struggling with injuries informed the coach. “Waly and Zahid won’t be able to play the first match while Meshu might miss all,” remarked the Croatian coach.
Rubcic has no Idea about the opponent’s Uzbekistan and UAE but he watched the video footages of Hong Kong’s play. “We are not bothered about our rivals, whereas we will concentrate on our own game. We want to start with a win and then we will try to confirm the next round” said an optimistic Rubcic.
“The team has improved a lot and the booters have good speed which is our most effective weapon though they have lack of experience. We have to utilize our abilities to achieve the expected result,” He added.
The Croatian decided to emphasize the defense which is the most important department from his point of view. He will start with the 4-2-3-1 formation and the strategy will change with the situation of the match.
Two table topers from each and the best four 3rd placed teams from a total of six groups, will promote to the next round.
The Squad:
Md. Aminul Hoque (Captain), Md. Mazharul Islam Himel, Md. Mintu Sheikh, Md. Rezaul Karim Reza, Md. Ariful Islam, Md. Mamun Miah, Md. Nasirul Islam Nasir, Md. Waly Faisal(Vice Captain), Atiqur Rahman Meshu, Md. Mamunul Islam Mamun, Md. Sahedul Alam Sahed, Md. Imtiaz Sultan Zitu, Md. Sakil Ahmed, Abdul Baten Mozumder Komol, Md. Zahid Hossain, Zahed Parvez Chowdhury, Md. Zahid Hasan Ameli, Md. Enamul Haque, Tawhidul Alam (Sabuz), Mithun Chowdhury, Mr. Robert Rupcic(Coach), A. K. M. Saiful Bari Titu(Asst Coach)