Bangladesh are not underdogs
U-23 team leaves for Nepal today on way to Palestine
Sports Reporter
Newly appointed national teams football coach Andrew Ord doesnt think his team is underdog when Bangladesh will take on stronger sides in the AFC Under-23 championship qualifying round matches to be held from July 19-23 in West Bank, Palestine.
The Palestine bound Bangladesh Under-23 football team coach Andrew in a press conference at BFF House said yesterday that he doest not think that Bangladesh is underdog but also it is not certain that the team will finish on top but he is optimistic.
Meanwhile, a 31-member team including 23 players and eight officials will leave for Kathmandu today, on their way to West Bank, Palestine, where they will play two preparation matches against Nepal on July 11 and against Qatar in Doha on July 13.
However, Andrew Ord, who was very much satisfied with the last two weeks practice sessions at Bangladesh Krria Shikkha Pratisthan (BKSP), said that the practice match with Abahani Limited in home was very useful and two practices matches against Nepal and Qatar will make more perfect his team.
We had good preparation in last two weeks practice, in BKSP there is a very comfortable surroundings, playing preparation match against Abahani was very useful but preparation, I dont think, is over. It is halfway through. We can have good training sessions. We have two friendlies in abroad where we can learn from the games.
We will have to play to cross stage, everybody in the squad knows that. The trick to get a good start then it will boost confidence, we are optimistic, Andrew replied to a query.
About yet to name the captain of the team, Andrew said, We had some key players who have national team experiences. I only met some players some days ago. I dont want to make decision about the captain so quickly. I dont believe on the players who will be able to play three matches. I just want to take my time.
Andrew about his target and whether his team is going as underdog against the favourites, said, I dont think we are underdog, we got to be optimistic, try our best, give maximum.
About his strategy, whether he will play with defensive or attacking, the English born Australian said, Focus on both defence and attack... we got to keep one eye on defence and then we have one eye on attack. That won us the game yesterday and we want to adopt same strategy in Nepal.
Replying to another query Andrew revealed Long way to go. You just try to make best of the situation. Improvement has to come with small steps. Make things more professional. You have a plan, do it slowly. Players, injury, players rehabilitation...the players come from all the clubs. I dont want to say about the injured players. Some players are absolutely fantastic.
About considering Toklis in the 23 men squad, who did not play in the match against Abahani, coach said, We decide to take players who are fit. Hemanta is not ready but he is not injured. One gamble out of 23 players.
Kazi Nabil, chairman of the national committee and vice-chairman of the BFF, said that the Bhutan debacle make to think them things to do different ways, it will not wise to expect something big within short time.
Of course it is a test, after this competition the lacking will come out and it will be easier to move forward, said Nabil while the vice-president also said that this competition is preparation for the SAFF and Bangabandhu Gold Cup tournament.
