Bangladesh target sixth place
Natl hockey team starts Asia Cup preparation today
Sports Reporter
Mahbub Harun, head coach of the Bangladesh national hockey team, will begin his field work from today ahead of the mission of Asia Cup Hockey when out of 40 players, 26 made their report yesterday to coach at the Maulanan Bhashani Hockey Stadium.
Harun, who had a good record with the national hockey team, this time also very hopeful to do good result, at least to earn the sixth position to play direct in the Asia Cup, as he told the reporters yesterday during the players reporting.
Harun had the charge of the national team for several times in the past and also worked as the deputy of the foreign coaches but Bangladesh did better result under the former national player.
Harun when talking to the reporters told the reason behind to do comparatively better result under him than the foreign coaches, said, Actually, its difficult to answer but what I feel that, might be I can understand the players better, their ability, stamina, physical aptitude, how much load they can take, in all respects, I can realize the man to man. May be thats why they feel easy to practice under me and can do well.
Bangladesh, who organised the Asia Cup Hockey, the biggest occasion of Asian hockey in 1985 when Harun made his debut in the top domestic hockey league, now he is the coach of the team When the Asia Cup was held in Bangladesh in 1985, I just started my career in the top level domestic league, so now as a coach obviously I do have a target, at least my objective will be to obtain the sixth position to avoid the qualifying round phase of the next Asia Cup, lets see.
Harun replying to a query about the ability of the players, while a bunch of young players, who are not experienced to play as national side, said, In fact, right now it is difficult to say about the players talent, how much they are skilled. I want to play preparation matches against better teams than us after one month practice, then another one month interval more preparation matches against stronger teams. After the practice matches, I can tell you whats the capability of the players.
Harun, about the most players are from Under-18, he said, Yes, here maximum players are from Under-18, I think experienced players should be in the team, I will talk to Sadeque Bhai (Abdus Sadeque, general secretary of the BHF) about the senior players, but I would not have say about the suspended players as disciplinary action.
However, Harun finally said that it would be something pressure as home ground It will be a pressure, as the competition is at home ground.
Asia Cup will take place in Dhaka from October 12-22 with eight Asian top countries will participate apart from the host Bangladesh, South Korea, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan, China and Oman will compete for the championship.
