Hockey team leave tonight
Putting behind the days of impasse, the Bangladesh hockey players are now fully concentrated on producing good results in their upcoming assignments as the under-21 team leave here for Malaysia tonight to take part in 8th Junior Asia Cup, scheduled to be held from November 14 to 22.
Coach Mahbub Harun, who got only 25 training sessions to prepare his charges due to the players' boycott of national camp, is optimistic about producing good results with a side, which has nine players from the senior team.
“I didn't get enough time to prepare the team for an international tournament and that is why I will be aiming not to finish bottom in the eight-team tournament. There is not a big difference among the Asian teams at this level. If the boys can implement the game-plan properly, it is possible to beat anyone,” said Harun, who was appointed the head coach for both the under-21 and the senior side after a gap of two years.
Bangladesh have been placed alongside South Korea, Pakistan and Oman in Pool B while Pool A features India, Malaysia, Japan and China.
At senior level, Bangladesh have previously beaten China and Oman in the 2013 World Hockey League while Bangladesh lost against Oman twice – once in the 2014 Asian Games and another in the 2015 World Hockey League.
However, Bangladesh under-21 team beat Oman 4-0 in the final of the qualifying round for this tournament, which itself is a qualifying platform for Junior Hockey World Cup.
“Everyone may think about [beating] Oman in group stages, but I am not thinking about Oman only, rather I will have different strategy for each of the opponents and I am focused on doing well especially in the place-deciding matches,” Harun said. “I want to fine-tune the team during the three group matches and then try to achieve best-possible results in the place-deciding matches, where each team will have the opportunity to move into the semifinals.”
Jamuna Bank, Fu Wang Polymer and Bangladesh Cricket Board will sponsor the under-21 team for this tournament.
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