Day seeks a glimpse into booters’ psyche

Footballers have been confined to their respective homes for four months since the coronavirus outbreak in mid-March and players, especially those in the national team, have been adhering strictly to the training schedule set by national team coach Jamie Day following the announcement of the resumption of joint qualifiers for 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup.

The booters have been regularly posting videos and photographs to a WhatsApp group closely monitored by Day. Ahead of the start of national camp from August 7 at the Sara Resorts in Gazipur, Day last week asked all national players to fill up a form containing numerous questions, including what they believe their strengths, weaknesses and motivations to be alongside family and other information.

The players submitted their answers by the July 17 deadline as Day was very eager to get information. The 40-year-old discussed how to fill up the forms with his players and requested them to communicate with local coach Masud Parvez Kaiser if anyone had trouble.

"It was interesting for me to answer those questions," Tapu Barman told The Daily Star. "I think the coach will analyse our mental strength, weaknesses and the weakness towards our family because we have to stay away from our family for four months due to the World Cup Qualifiers. Jamie wants to know everything before the start of training so that he can take proper steps player-by-player during the training camp."

The centre-back informed that a proper mindset, tactical knowledge, compassion, control over body and ball, long throws, long passes and headerswere his strengths while laziness, physical fitness, impatience and a short temper were his weakness.

The lad from Narayanganj also mentioned his motivation for playing football, citing self-determination, family inspiration, public expectations, internal impetus and the achievements of many successful footballers.

However, goalkeeper Ashraful Islam Rana provided three answers for every questions.

"I think the mental power, self-confidence and hard work are my major strengths while operating with my left foot, judging crosses and desserts are my weaknesses.

Rana's motivation for playing is to become a member of a SAFF Championship-winning team, helping the national team rise up in the FIFA rankings to between 150 and 160 and seeing the country's football become the most popular sport within his playing career.

Like Tapu and Rana, all other players answered the questions and Jamie now has all the necessary information and he can identify the areas he need to emphasise.

"We spoke to the players so we could assess how they were feeling and what their aspirations are for the future," Jamie told The Daily Star about the questionnaire's purpose. "We can set targets for each player throughout the year which will hopefully help them improve," said Jamie.

Assistant coach Masud Parvez Kaiser explained further: "It is part of team building. It also has a psychological aspect. We believe the players filled it up after thinking a lot. So when they wrote down their strongest as well as weakest points, they must remember to improve their weakest points in the future. This initiative will boost up the players to overcome their respective weaknesses and become stronger," Kaiser said, adding that another reason behind it was to keep the players' focus on football.