Injury concern for de Kruif

Mamunul Islam (L) and Sohel Rana go through a light practice session under the watchful eyes of fitness trainer Yamali Mohammet at the Police Headquarters Ground in Kathmandu yesterday. PHOTO: COURTESY

The Bangladesh national football team is grappling with injuries as their campaign for the 10th SAFF Championship nears. Captain Mamunul Islam, the key player in Bangladesh's midfield, is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered during the practice match against Sheikh Jamal DC on August 21. Another midfielder, Sohel Rana, sustained an injury during the last practice match against BFF XI on
August 24.
Coach Lodewijk de Kruif therefore took a 21-member team instead of 20, including midfielder Monaem Khan Raju as a cover in case Mamunul or Sohel does not recover fully in time.
However, after reaching Nepal on Sunday, another player -- goalkeeper Shahidul Islam Sohel -- took a blow during training the following day which makes de Kruif's job much harder.
Therefore the coach is trying to reorganise the team and may adopt players who can play in different positions.
“Players are playing in different positions because we have some injuries in the team. The injuries were not a result of fatigue; rather a result of some silly things,” said de Kruif after yesterday's training session at the Kathmandu Police Head Quarters Field.
The two injured midfielders Mamunul and Sohel did however attend light practice under the supervision of fitness trainer Yamali Mohammet.
The coach was more realistic than hopeful about the chances of his side in the tournament which Bangladesh won back in 2003.
“Two years back Bangladesh did not do well in the SAFF Championship. Things will not change in a day. We are working hard along with the players to get a good result in this tournament,” said de Kruif.
De Kruif again asserted that India and Nepal are the favourites to progress from the group that Bangladesh are in.
Regarding pressing and passing football which is widely practised throughout the world these days, De Kruif said that his players are adapting very well with that type of football and getting better.
Bangladesh begin their campaign on Saturday with the match against hosts Nepal at the Dasharath Stadium before playing against defending champions India on September 3 and Pakistan on September 5.