Nat'l soccer team leaves for India today
Thursday, 16 August 2007
A 20-member Bangladesh national football team, led by stopper Kazi Nazrul Islam, leaves for New Delhi today to participate in the traditional Nehru Cup Football tournament.
The five-nation Nehru Cup Football Tournament will be held in New Delhi on August 17-29, reports UNB.
In the Nehru Cup, Bangladesh will play Syria on August 18, hosts India on August 20, Cambodia on August 22 and Kyrgystan on August 24, initially on league basis.
"We would like to make a good fight with every team," coach Syed Nayeemuddin told reporters at a press conference at the BFF Bhaban in the city Wednesday.
He said, "It's the best opportunity for the boys to prove their mettle in the tournament as our main target is to do well in the ensuing SAFF championship to be held in December."
The veteran coach said, "We respect our opponents, but we don't want to concede defeat before playing against any team."
Nayeem, also a former Indian national team coach, said his team is now in the learning process and would gain some experiences in the meet.
"We have a fair chance to do well," he added.
Team captain Nazrul Islam has also the hope of doing well.
"Our body fitness level is satisfactory. We have been playing football for our respective clubs for the last six months through the just concluded B. League," he said.
Asked, if they have any specific target in the tournament, he said, "Our target is the next SAFF Championship, but we'll fight against India and Cambodia in the tournament as our morale is very high."
BFF President SA Sultan, who will accompany the national team at the same flight today at the invitation of the All India Football president, said "We don't have any definite target in the tournament as our main concentration is on the SAFF Championship. We'll pick up the best performers for the SAFF Championship."
The National Team Management Committee (NTMC) Tuesday appointed Haji Makbul Hossain as team manager for the India-bound national team in replace of ailing Mozammel Haque Mukta.
NTMC Chairman Abdur Rahim Member Manjoor Hossain Malu, Vice Captain Biplob Bhattacharya and Assistant coach Golam Zilani were present on the occasion.
Nehru Cup Squad: Goalkeepers: Biplob Bhattacharya (vice captain), Ziaur Rahman Zia and Mamun Khan.
Defenders: Rajani Kanta Barman, Kazi Nazrul Islam (captain), Firoz Mahmud Hossain Titu, Wali Faisal, Ariful Islam, Kazi Mofazzel Hossain Saikat, Atiqur Rahman Mishu and SM Razib.
The five-nation Nehru Cup Football Tournament will be held in New Delhi on August 17-29, reports UNB.
In the Nehru Cup, Bangladesh will play Syria on August 18, hosts India on August 20, Cambodia on August 22 and Kyrgystan on August 24, initially on league basis.
"We would like to make a good fight with every team," coach Syed Nayeemuddin told reporters at a press conference at the BFF Bhaban in the city Wednesday.
He said, "It's the best opportunity for the boys to prove their mettle in the tournament as our main target is to do well in the ensuing SAFF championship to be held in December."
The veteran coach said, "We respect our opponents, but we don't want to concede defeat before playing against any team."
Nayeem, also a former Indian national team coach, said his team is now in the learning process and would gain some experiences in the meet.
"We have a fair chance to do well," he added.
Team captain Nazrul Islam has also the hope of doing well.
"Our body fitness level is satisfactory. We have been playing football for our respective clubs for the last six months through the just concluded B. League," he said.
Asked, if they have any specific target in the tournament, he said, "Our target is the next SAFF Championship, but we'll fight against India and Cambodia in the tournament as our morale is very high."
BFF President SA Sultan, who will accompany the national team at the same flight today at the invitation of the All India Football president, said "We don't have any definite target in the tournament as our main concentration is on the SAFF Championship. We'll pick up the best performers for the SAFF Championship."
The National Team Management Committee (NTMC) Tuesday appointed Haji Makbul Hossain as team manager for the India-bound national team in replace of ailing Mozammel Haque Mukta.
NTMC Chairman Abdur Rahim Member Manjoor Hossain Malu, Vice Captain Biplob Bhattacharya and Assistant coach Golam Zilani were present on the occasion.
Nehru Cup Squad: Goalkeepers: Biplob Bhattacharya (vice captain), Ziaur Rahman Zia and Mamun Khan.
Defenders: Rajani Kanta Barman, Kazi Nazrul Islam (captain), Firoz Mahmud Hossain Titu, Wali Faisal, Ariful Islam, Kazi Mofazzel Hossain Saikat, Atiqur Rahman Mishu and SM Razib.