U-22s off to Nepal for Asia Cup

A 28-member Bangladesh U-22 national football team leave here for Kathmandu, Nepal this morning to take part in the qualifiers of the inaugural AFC U-22 Asia Cup hopeful of putting in a good show.
Bangladesh were placed in Group D qualifiers along with Uzbekistan, Jordan, Yemen and hosts Nepal with the top two teams advancing to the next round.
“Uzbekistan and Jordan are better sides than us on ranking and the other two are of equal strength. From that point of view, our target is to win two matches against Nepal and Yemen, then try to snatch points against Uzbekistan and Jordan in an attempt to qualify for the finals,” said coach Syed Golam Jilani yesterday.
Booters had gotten only five days to practise, although they were given an opportunity to take part in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League, being allowed to turn up for their respective clubs a day before a league game.
“We didn't get enough time to be prepared due to the ongoing professional football league but one positive thing is that all of the players were in action in the league,” said Jilani.
He also informed that most players of his possible playing eleven have been playing in the starting eleven for their respective clubs in the league and that made him confident that the U-22 side can give a good account of themselves in the AFC tournament.
Jilani believes the creative members of the midfield are his main strength in the team but he is much concerned about his backline and goalkeeper.
“Goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel is the first choice as he was brilliant under the Abahani post in the league but sometime he makes unforgettable mistake that is enough to sink a side. Despite that I bank on him,” said Jilani. “Apart from the strikers, the midfielders have the ability to score; I am not worried about scorers.”
Jilani plans to field Sohel Rana, Emon Babu, Shahedul Alam-1/Shahedul Alam-2 in the midfield keeping Jamal Hossain/ Shariful Islam left-wing and Touhidul Alam/Sohel Rana on the right flank. Wahed Ahmed may pair with Shakawat Hossain Rony/ Sohel Rana up front.
Raihan Hasan, Uttam Kumar Banik, Shawkat Russel/Mamun Mia and Yeamin Munna will defend the backline.

SQUAD
Shahidul Alam Sohel, Shahedul Alam Shahed-1, Shawkhat Hossain Rony, Touhidul Alam, Yeasin Khan, Sohel Rana-1, Shariful Islam, Wahed Ahmed, Mamun Mia, Saidul Haque, Shawkat Russel, Raihan Hasan, Sohel Rana-2, Sohel Rana-3, Sabuj Das Raghu, Jamal Hossain, Rafi Rahman, Yeamin Ahmed Munna, Uttam Kumar Banik, Emon Mahmud Babu and Shahedul Alam-2.

FIXTURES
June 16 Bangladesh vs Nepal
June 18 Bangladesh vs Uzbekistan
June 22 Bangladesh vs Jordan
June 24 Bangladesh vs Yemen