Bangladesh can also play in the World Cup: Jamal

Although playing FIFA World Cup for Bangladesh is an ambitious dream, Bangladesh's Danish-born captain Jamal Bhuyian believes the boys in red and green will one day play in the mega quadrennial event once the local footballers start competing against the best players in the top leagues of the world.

The 30-year-old midfielder made this comment during a live show on facebook page of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF). 

"Bangladesh will play in the World Cup one day Insha Allah but there are a lot of works to do before we can play in the World Cup. If Iceland with a population of 5 to 6 lakh could play the World Cup, Bangladesh should also be able to play the World Cup but there are a lot of things that we have to do," said Jamal, who is now living in Denmark with his family following the abandonment of the Bangladesh Premier League.

"In the coming days, I hope more youngsters will play football and the coaches will be brought from Europe and our players can compete against the best players and play in the big leagues of the world. So I think if they can do that, and don't spend their whole life in Bangladesh, then we have a great chance to do something and go to the World Cup," Jamal explained.

"However, it is very hard. Even India have all the resources and facilities and are also doing great work but they still are lacking when it comes to the World Cup Qualifiers because it is a very tough and very long road to the World Cup. But we have to keep faith and believe in ourselves that one day we can play the World Cup," said Jamal.

During the live show, Jamal also informed that he is still frustrated about the match against India when Bangladesh surrendered a lead to play out a 1-1 draw In the World Cup Qualifiers last year.

"When India scored the equalizing goal, my heart was broken and I was frustrated and devastated because we were waiting to complete the rest of eight minutes including the stoppage-time because we played a really good match. We even practised two days for the way we had scored our first goal. I'm a little bit irritated with that match. If we could have won the match, then it would have been the best match of my career. Although I also had a good memory in Asian Games where Bangladesh beat Qatar as my strike helped us go to the next round for the first time in 40 years."

Jamal also urged all footballers to keep up their individual training to maintain fitness as otherwise it would be tough for the players to retain fitness once the season gets underway.

Jamal said that he never thought of being captain of Bangladesh national team but had a dream to play for Bangladesh when he started playing football in Copenhagen Football Academy.