Bangladesh will have to rely on a makeshift left-back due to the unavailability of Wali Faisal and Mishu when they play their Group E opener against Uzbekistan in the Asian Games football in Guangzhou today.
Skipper and goalkeeper Aminul may also miss the match as he skipped the final training session due to viral fever.
Both the left-backs were nursing injuries and the team management decided against playing them in the first match. Mamunul Islam, the wily midfielder, may take the position of left-back as he has a good left foot.
Bangladesh had a full training session at the Yingdong stadium, the venue of today’s match. It was, however, the first full-fledged practice session of Bangladesh after their first training session on Friday was abandoned due to rain.
Saiful Bari Titu, the assistant coach of Bangladesh, informed head coach Robert Rubcic has been trying to motivate the team. ‘The coach said Asian Games is a big stage and you have the ability to show your prowess, produce the best for the country,’ Titu said.
Titu said Uzbekistan players have the height advantage and they will use aerial route as usual. He also said the coach has asked the players to play a ball possession-based game as much as possible.
