BFF's focus on U-19s

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has seemingly started to give importance to the age-group teams to build up a proper pipeline for the national football team as BFF president Kazi Salahuddin instructed the coaching staff to make a strong U-19 national team for the upcoming SAFF U-19 Championship and AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers in September and October.

National team's assistant coach Saiful Bari Titu has already been given the responsibility to guide the U-19 national team and national team's head coach Lodewijk de Kruif was appointed as an advisory coach so that the U-19 team could produce good results in championships and also so the future booters could learn the style the national football team follows under the guidance of the Dutch coach.

"There might have a thought of making the players for the national team through the age-group team. Another factor was that we have a good opportunity to produce good results in our group, where Uzbekistan is the only recognized opponent. That's why we are giving maximum importance to develop the U-19 side," said coach Saiful Bari.

Upon instructions from the BFF president, Saiful Bari has already started to scout players to build a strong team and in the past two days the former national footballer conducted two trials of the players from BKSP and BFF Academy and initially picked 20 from 57 players and is now set to see the players in an open trial to be held on Saturday.

"There are some talented players, though they are not well-trained from their starting level and with that aspect I may face a few problems, but there are hopes because those players are physically well-built, tall and have some skills," evaluated Saiful Bari.

Saiful Bari plans to pick 28 to 32 players for the preliminary squad and choose the remaining 8 to 12 players from professional football league and unregistered players who are practicing with the different clubs.

It is a boost for Saiful Bari that he gets four to five ready players who are taking part in the ongoing professional football league. Those players have even established their names through their performances. They are Mohammad Ibrahim, Shafiqul Islam Biplu and Masuk Mia Jonny of Mohammedan SC, Mannaf Rabbi of Rahmatganj MFS and Tutul Hossain Badsha of Abahani.

Saiful Bari wants to start the preparation camp from next week, soon after completing the group trials as well as individual trials. Titu also has a plan to enrol the U-19 squad in the upcoming Bangladesh Championship League, a second-tier professional football league, gain the experience and game temperament ahead of SAFF and AFC U-19 Championships.

Bangladesh were pitted with Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bhutan in Group A of the AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers, where the 10 group champions and five best runners-up will advance to the 2016 finals to be held in Bahrain.