Bangladesh national hockey team will be leaving for Malaysia on Wednesday with the aim to finish in sixth place in the Asia Cup Hockey, which gets underway on August 24.
Bangladesh were seventh in the last two editions of the tournament, held in India and Malaysia in 2007 and 2009 respectively. The charges of Pakistani coach Naveed Alam will play in pool B against former champions South Korea, India and Oman.
Due to the presence of the teams like Korea and India in the group, Bangladesh’s prospect of making the semifinal looks bleak, said coach Naveed, adding that a sixth place finish in the 8-team tournament should be the realistic goal.
Oman are believed to be the main challengers for Bangladesh in achieving their goal, said coach Naveed, who otherwise sounded confident.
`We are trying hard to perform well in the upcoming Asia Cup where we will have to face to giant competitors like Korea and India,’ Naveed said at a press conference on Monday. ‘We are initially targeting Oman to ensure the fifth place-deciding match.
`The boys want to do something for the nation and they have already proved their ability by beating China in the recent World Hockey League. It shows they are capable of causing a few upsets in the Asia Cup.’
Bangladesh will be leaving home without any serious warm-up match against a proven side and had to remain content with matches between themselves over the last few days.
The team won a warm-up match 4-1 on Monday with the coach still undecided about his options.
`I am trying to prepare them how to face strong opponents like Korea and India. Last time we conceded five goals against Korea but I am confident that it will not happen this year,’ he said.
`It would have been better if we could play some practice matches against foreign teams but I don’t think it will be a big issue as we will have a chance to test our skills against Pakistan in a match before the tournament begins on Thursday in Malaysia,’ said Naveed.
Mamunur Rahman Chayan, who returned as captain replacing Zahid Hasan, said
they will leave for Malaysia as a unit.
`After many disturbances now we are a unit and looking forward to the Asia Cup. The BHF promised us to solve issues that concerned us, helping us to concentrate solely on the Asia Cup,’ said Chayan.
South East Bank Limited will provide Tk 30 lakh to the national team as the main sponsor while media partner ATN Bangla will give the air tickets for the squad. Boutique shop Anjan’s will be the outfit sponsor of the national side for the Asia Cup.
Bangladesh will open their campaign against holders South Korea on August 25 before facing Oman next day. They will play their last group match against India on August 28.
-With New Age input
