Booters eye win against Bhutan

Bangladesh coach Jamie Day will be looking to find the right combination while expecting a win against Bhutan in the first of two FIFA Friendlies in Dhaka today, which are a part of the team’s preparation for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Qatar and India.

The match is scheduled to kick off at the Bangabandhu National Stadium at 7:00pm, with BTV and Bangla TV set to telecast the match live.

Even though matches against Bhutan will hardly give an idea of what to expect against Asian champions Qatar and rising giants India, the coach believes that the two matches -- the second one will be played on October 3 at the same venue -- will serve two purposes. The first is a chance to improve in FIFA rankings while the second is a chance to test the players ahead of the two qualifying fixtures through some valuable gametime against an international team.

Bhutan are currently 185th while Bangladesh are two places behind in the latest FIFA ranking.

“We wanted some games. Bhutan have crept above us [in FIFA ranking] and so we want to move up the table. I would rather play a game than just train and I want the boys to win the games. We could have played against local club sides, but it’s better to play against a national team,” Day told a press conference at the Bangladesh Football Federation house yesterday.

“We want to win, but also take things to Qatar and India matches. The matches give me an opportunity to see the players. If someone does well, he might be selected and if someone does not do well, he might not get a chance in the qualifying matches,” the British coach added.

The coach picked 23 players out of 26, who started the training camp on Wednesday, after centre-back Tutul Hossain Badsha was ruled out following a knee injury he suffered from a motorcycle accident. The latest injury leaves the coach in a tight spot as he is already a few important players short. Midfielder Mashuk Mia Johnny recently underwent an ACL operation and will be ruled out for a long time. Another centre-back, Topu Barman, and midfielder Atiqur Rahman Fahad are also nursing long-term injuries.

However, the coach thinks the players that he has at his disposal should make the most of these two friendly matches.

“Hopefully we will get more of the ball. It will be down to players to hold the ball and pass it well and create more scoring chances than we have done in the past. I also hope we keep a clean sheet,” the coach explained.

Team captain Jamal Bhuiyan believes that they should have two positive outings against Bhutan, who have brought a new-look side, with a focus on December’s South Asian Games.

“We will definitely have more chances against Bhutan than we will have against Qatar and India. So it is good for the team if we can score goals because we don’t score too many in international matches,” the midfielder said.

Bhutan coach Pema, who brought his side here yesterday with four days’ training following the end of the first leg of their local league, is seeing the two practice matches as opportunity to test his young side ahead of December’s SA Games.

“We have 10-11 new players in the side, most of whom are of the under-23 level. They are very energetic and eager to do well. They will give their 100 percent I’m sure,” Pema said.