Booters fly to Nepal today

Bangladesh captain Mohammad Sujan (3rd from R) displays a jersey of the national team during a Meet the Press session at the BFF House yesterday.Photo: STAR

The Bangladesh national football team leave here today for Nepal to take part in the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers without a clear goal but Dutch coach Lodewijk de Kruif believes Bangladesh can at least, show a great deal of fight, if no qualify.
“I've had four training sessions and had a good impression of the players. I shared my ideas with them, what I want from them and what they want. There was determination and willingness among the players and they are willing to fight. We will fight in Nepal for what we want and what the people want,” said Kruif at a press conference at the BFF House yesterday.
“From my background, I educated the players. I have an educated team and back-up. When you get a back-up, you will get results. You won't get results without doing nothing,” said the Dutch coach.
The 43-year old coach will have to bank on a depleted squad to deliver the goods as experienced striker Zahid Hasan Emily, winger Zahid Hossain, defender Rezaul Karim and goalkeeper Mustaqur Rahman have been kept out of the 23-member final squad due to injuries. Striker Toklish Ahmed and midfielder Jamal Hossain have been included for the first time.
“Yes, we will miss a few players, who are the top players of the league but we can't do anything about injuries. I think all my 23 players are good and we got a few youngsters who are eager to show their worth at the top level. Let's see what they do.”
Describing about the positives the coach had found during the training sessions, De Kruif said, “It is important to know where your nose is, we have to put our noses at the right direction. I have found my players walking and crawling all over to fight it out. They were not taking any rest and everybody is willing to fight so overall impression is very positive.”
Kruif rated Palestine the favourites in the group followed by hosts Nepal and said he had no idea about Northern Mariana Island.
“From the information, video footage and data I have, Palestine are the favourites in the pool. They recently beat India 4-2 and I think they have a good player who scored three times in that match. Nepal at home are also a difficult opponent. Nobody knows anything about Northern Mariana Island and my opinion is not to underestimate any opponent.”
Captain Mohammad Sujan believes that they would be able to produce some good results as all the players were in action in the professional football league.
Assistant coach Rene Koster informed that the fitness level of players was pretty good as he tried a new work-out for the players.

SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS: Shahidul Alam Shohel, Ziaur Rahman Zia, Mamun Khan.
Defenders: Mohammad Sujan (captain), Atiqur Rahman Meshu, Ashraf Mahmud Linkon, Raihan Hasan, Kesto Kumar, Wali Faisal, Nasiruddin Chowdhury, Mamun Miah.
MIDFIELDERS: Mamunul Islam, Pranotosh Kumar Das, Shakil Ahmed, Abudul Baten Komol, Alamgir Kabir Rana, Shohel Rana, Mezbabul Haque Manik, Jamal Hossain, Maruf Ahmed.
STRIKERS: Shakhwat Hossain Rony, Toklish Ahmed, Mithun Chowdhury.

BANGLADESH'S MATCHES
2 March: Bangladesh v Palestine
4 March: Bangladesh v Nepal
6 March: Bangladesh v Northern Mariana Island