A 33-member Bangladesh national football team will leave home today for a challenging mission against reigning Asian champions Australia in the World Cup qualifier on September 3.
En route to Australia, the team will make a stopover in Malaysia to play a FIFA friendly match against their national side as part of their preparation on August 29.Before embarking on midnight in Kuala Lumpur-bound flight, the team will be feeling motivated as they will play the qualifier against a side that is ranked 109 higher than them.
Coach Lodewijk De Kruif claimed his charges are keen to face the Aussies without bothering about the result.
‘For us it will be a great experience to face an opponent like that [Australia],’ said the coach during a press conference at BFF Office on Tuesday.
‘Good for our players. I’m looking forward to it. The players are very motivated as well.’
Kruif also looked forward on the home match against Jordan, scheduled to be held on September 8, saying that both the matches will be great challenges for the players to prove their worth.
‘We have more chance against Jordan at home ground I think,’ said the Dutch coach.
Kruif said his defenders will face a monumental challenge against the Aussies, whose players are regulars in top clubs of Europe.
‘The 85 per cent of our effort would be limited to organising of defence,’ Kruif said.
‘What we have to do is to make the pitch very close, very small, very compact. When they come in that area we have to attack them, very hard and tough, keep them away from the goal, don’t allow them come inside the box.’
Kruif said he will miss the service of central defender Nasiruddin Chowdhury, who has been suffering from Dengue fever, though the Dutch man included forward Aminur Rahman Sajib in place of a defender.
‘It’s a loss that we had to remove Nasir from the camp due to his illness,’ he said. ‘But I have full confidence on two other central defenders [Topu Barman and Yeasin Khan]. I have also full confidence in Meshu, Rayhan and also Linkon.’
Bangladesh captain Mamunul Islam claimed they are not feeling any extra pressure before facing the best team in Asia.
‘We don’t have any pressure before facing them but it will be a great opportunity for us to show our caliber,’ said midfielder.
‘If we perform well in this match we can also get many attractive offers from abroad.’
Mamun was hopeful to beat Malaysia in the FIFA friendly match that will help them set the game plan against Australia.
‘We will prepare ourselves about how we play against Australia by playing the Malaysia match,’ he said.
‘It’s an opportunity [to play a friendly against Malaysia].’
-With New Age input
