Coach Lodewijk de Kruif’s national football team played its fifth practice match on Saturday, beating a BFF XI squad 2-1 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium after two goals from Toklis Ahmed.
Toklis scored twice via assists from Mobarak Hossain and Zahid Hasan Ameli, but national team conceded late after a lapse in concentration.`We lost concentration in the last 10-15 minutes as we did in the previous matches. But I’m happy with the overall performance,’ De Kruif told reporters, ‘It was tough to play on this pitch because of the rain, but I’m satisfied that we played much better than the opponents. The difference between the two teams was visible.’
De Kruif did, however, spot a weakness in the team’s attack, noting that most of the team’s goals in the five practice matches had been created from the right flank, while the left wing had not looked threatening.
`We do not have many players like Mobarak and Zahid in Bangladesh. No players who can penetrate from the wings, like [Dutch star] Arjen Robben, so we have to play with what we have and make the best use of those players in every position,’ he said.
De Kruif used 22 players in the match, including Reasat Khaton, the German-based midfielder. Zahid Hossain and Shakhwat Hossain Rony also saw their first action after recovering from injuries.
`I wanted everyone to play as many minutes as possible. The result is not important in these practice matches,’ De Kruif said after the match.
The return to fitness of some of his squad member was a source of encouragement for De Kruif, particularly the recoveries of Zahid and Rony.
`I am happy with Zahid and Rony, as they played 45 minutes today and they had to exert effort on this soggy pitch, which is more heartening for me,’ said De Kruif.
`Reasat is not fully fit but I am happy to see him here. We had a tough training session in the morning. So I gave him 15 minutes to play. We’ll probably have another match on Wednesday. Maybe I’ll give him 45 minutes in that match,’ said De Kruif, adding, `I have had contact with him for a long time. He is an athletic midfielder and has a good record in Germany. I am eager to see his quality. I hope he makes it onto the squad.’
Physical trainer Mohammet Yamali has already started to work with Reasat, who arrived at camp just two days ago.
`He joined practice for the first time on [Saturday]. He still has an injury to his knee but he is improving. I think we will have to work on this injury, but if the coach wants him and his condition can improve, I think he might be included in the team,’ said Yamali, following the morning practice session.
De Kruif rested Mamunul Islam, Jamal Bhuiyan, Atiqur Rahman Meshu and goalkeepers Biplob Bhattyacharya and Mamun Khan, with the five players all but confirmed to make the final squad.
-With New Age input
