The residential training camp of the national footballers are going on in full swing under national coach Syed Nayeemuddin at the BKSP in Savar to form separate teams for two upcoming international soccer meets.
The initially selected booters began their practice Wednesday, reports UNB.
Bangladesh will participate in the six-team Nehru Cup Football Tournament in India to be held from August 16 to 29 and also in the six-team Merdeka Football Tournament in Malaysia from August 19 to 29.
Bangladesh, which is going to compete in the Merdeka Cup for the third time after 1973 and 1983, will find Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, the Maldives and hosts Malaysia as the other five rivals.
On the other hand, five teams-Bangladesh, Cambodia, Syria, Kyrgyzstan and hosts India-have so far made their entries for the Nehru Cup.
For the upcoming meets, the Bangladesh Football Federation has initially selected 47 booters in two batches to form national teams for the two traditional football tournaments.
Renowned Indian coach Syed Nayeemuddin, who has been doing his best to prepare the Bangladesh squads, especially for the SAFF Championship scheduled for December in Colombo and Male, expressed his optimism to show better performance in the upcoming meets.
Talking to the reporters during a break in the practice session at the BKSP Saturday, the newly appointed national coach said they are taking the Nehru Cup and Merdeka tournaments as a preparation for the SAFF Championship.
But apparently coach Nayeemuddin is not taking the two tournaments lightly as he said, "We hope to perform well. We're not going to lose before participating, not going to lose against any team."
Asked about the present condition of the players, he said: "Technically they are sound, but they've to improve more physically and mentally."
Veteran striker Alfaz Ahmed, who came from retirement to join the preliminary squad, said Nayeemuddin has persuaded him to come back from retirement. "I will try my best to contribute for the country", he said.
The 25 booters selected in the first batch: Goalkeepers : Biplob Bhattacharya, Ziaur Rahman Zia and Mamun Khan;
Defenders: Rajani Kanta Barman, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Firoz Mahmud Hossain Titu, Wali Faisal, Ariful Islam, Zahirul Islam, Kazi Mofazzel Hossain Saikat, Mohammad Shoaib Hossain Sony, Atiqur Rahman Mishu and SM Razib;
Midfielders: Arman Aziz, Mehdi Hasan Uzzal, Mohammad Abul Hossain, Mohammad Zahid Hossain, Enamul Huq Sharif, Mamunul Islam Mamun, Akramuzzaman Liton and Imtiaz Sultan Zitu
Forwards: Zahid Hossain Emily, Mohammad Robin, Mohammad Rony and GM Mamun.
The 22 footballers selected in the second batch: Goalkeepers:MN Shakil (Russell KC), Atiqul Islam Tareq (Abahani Ltd) and Mazharul Islam Himel (Mohammedan SC)
Defenders: Hasan Al Mamun, Mustafa Anwar Parvez (Muktijoddha SKC), Mahmudul Hasan (Russell KC), Arafat Ali Ronny (Rahmatganj MFS), Amit Khan Shuvro (Brothers Union), Kamal Hossain (Mohammedan SC) and Akram Hossain (Arambagh KS);
Midfielders: Motiur Rahman Munna (Muktijoddha SKC), Kallol Kumar Ghosh Zuku (Arambagh KS), Khokon Das and Monir Hossain (Ctg. Abahani), Arup Kumar Baidya (Farashganj SC), Zumratul Islam Mithu (Mohammedan SC) and Ronny Islam (Farashganj SC);
Forwards: Alfaz Ahmed and Saifur Rahman Moni (Miktijoddha SKC) and Akbar Hossain Ridon (Arambagh KS).
Training for nat'l booters goes on in full swing
FE Team | Published: August 05, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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