Booters’ focus on Qatar
Having enjoyed nearly two weeks of rest, members of the national football team returned yesterday to their camp in preparation for next month’s Joint Qualifiers for the World Cup and Asian Cup against Qatar and India.
Bangladesh will host Qatar on October 10 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium before travelling to Kolkata to play an away match against India on October 15.
After losing 1-0 to Afghanistan in Tajikistan, British coach Jamie Day -- who is scheduled to return to Dhaka in the morning today to conduct training from the afternoon -- rested his charges. He believed that long-term training may have a negative impact on the players ahead of next month’s home and away matches, during which they will have a gap of only four days.
“It was a much-need rest for us and a two-week break really helped us a lot because we played domestic and international matches continuously for our clubs,” said Abahani striker Nabib Newaj Jibon. “However, we have been training individually as per instructions from the coach in order to maintain fitness levels and we did everything we needed to stay fit.”
Bashundhara Kings winger Mohammad Ibrahim echoed Jibon’s sentiments.
“We have returned to the camp refreshed mentally and physically. We needed a break to recover as we had a tough season during which we played a lot of matches and travelled a lot. Afterwards, we joined the national football camp and there was almost no rest,” Ibrahim said, adding that they had been in action as Bashundhara Kings began their pre-season on September 17 and he joined the camp three days later.
However, both players are looking forward to a good show in the upcoming matches.
“We are focusing match by match because our aim is to try to secure points every game. If we defend well and play well upfront, then it is possible to get points,” said Jibon.
“Qatar are a strong side but they were held to a goalless draw by India as Qatar squandered a lot of scoring chances. However, it is important that India held them and we will also try to get one point against Qatar, even though India have improved more technically than Bangladesh,” the 29-year-old striker said.
“No doubt Qatar are a strong team. They are preparing to play the World Cup but it will not be an easy task for them because we will play in a familiar ground in front of our home crowd,” said Ibrahim.
“The current Bangladesh squad is different to the last squad because there are a lot of young players, who know each other very well and have good understanding. All the players are committed to giving their best till the last minute of the game.”
20-year-old Ibrahim also added that he wants to take inspiration from India’s stalemate against Qatar.
“India did it against Qatar. We also have to do it against Qatar because we are not that far behind India,” said the lad from Cox’s Bazar.
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