Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) initially picked up a 36-member Bangladesh national team for the upcoming matches of Joint Qualifiers round two for FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023.  The camp will start with strict health measures at Sarah Resort in Gazipur from August 5. 

 

Head Coach of Bangladesh national football team Jamie Day said in an online press conference, organized by Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), on Monday at 2:30 pm.  

 

Jamie said, “Training will start from August 7 while players will join on August 5. They will undergo the COVID-19 tests. We’ll try to improve within six weeks. We have enough time to get them fit. If we train them correctly as best we can, they will come fairly in good shape. They had their programs and diet plans during the breaks, They showed their fitness videos and I found them fit. We’ll just try to up their level in the camp.     

 

Jamie included four new players -- Bashundhara Kings midfielder Kazi Tariq Raihan, Uttar Baridhara forward Md Sumon Reza, Police FC midfielder Nazmul Islam Rasel and forward M S Bablu. About the newcomers, he said, All of these players’ fitness levels are the same. So, when I get to the camp, I’ll make sure of the steady progress with their fitness and performance. So it is a big opportunity for these new players. They played very well in the league games I saw. They did well in the league, so they are given opportunities for doing camp.” 

 

About Bashundhara Kings’ players, he said, “BFF needs to have a conversation with Bashundhara Kings on this matter. I’ve talked with Oscar a couple of months before about the possible squad. Obviously, the national team will want to get it's all players in the camp and Kings will want the same. If we can find a solution that suits everyone, then both parties will be happy.” 

 

It will be a very tough schedule for them. Traveling and playing a lot of matches in a short time are definitely big issues. We would have a long break which obviously will help, but at the same time, we can't expect players to perform at every single game with their maximum level. We may arrange our training sessions keeping these things in mind. We may rest players if needed. 

 

BFF is trying to arrange some practice matches as a part of their preparation. “We may not be able to arrange any matches, but we don’t know what will happen in the next six weeks. If it is not possible, then we will play practice matches among us.”