Goal is playing AFC C'ship
Bangladesh U-19 football team leaves here for Iraq tomorrow night to take part in the AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers with a hope of making it to the final round.
"Our goal is to qualify for the next round," head coach Rene Koster said at a press conference yesterday as his charges have been preparing for one-and-half months to face the challenges from stronger opponents in the group, which includes former champions and hosts Iraq, Kuwait and Pakistan.
"You know the progress of the youth side is a process and my main target with this side is to take these players into the national team in two years. International exposure is also an important aspect and these players will gather experience playing three international matches," said Koster, who is also the assistant coach of the national team.
Koster also believed that there were some talented individuals in the side and they would be stars of Bangladesh in future.
Nevertheless, Iraq will be tough opponents for Bangladesh, with Kuwait posing no less threat later on. They then face Pakistan in their last match. Yet Bangladesh stand good chance of qualifying for the finals as one of the six best runners-up among nine groups.
After watching video footages of Iraq and Kuwait, Koster believes both Iraq and Kuwait are stronger sides than Bangladesh. But he also has confidence in his boys, especially the way the boys played in a few practice matches against a couple of academy sides and a combined eleven has heartened him.
National coach Lodewijk de Kruif will be touring with the U-19 squad as the technical adviser while goalkeeping coach Kees Kalk and trainer Muhammet Yamali will also be part of the 27-member contingent.
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