With 12 days to go before the SAFF Championship, Bangladesh national team coach Lodewijk de Kruif watched his team beat a Bangladesh Football Federation XI by a 1-0 score in a closed-door practice game at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Saturday.
Substitute midfielder Mithun Chowdhury scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute.
The media was not allowed to cover the warm-up game as De Kruif expressed his desire on Tuesday to prepare his unit in an isolated environment to correct the national footballers’ flaws.
This is the second time the national team has played a practice game behind closed doors under the guidance of the Dutch coach.
De Kruif also opposed the tour to Malaysia for a friendly on August 22 against the Malaysia Under-23 team, so the football governing body has cancelled the game.
The Dutchman wants to save his players from potential injuries before the regional football competition, which will get underway in Nepal from August 31, as five members of the existing 24-man squad are carrying light injuries.
De Kruif also cited fatigue as one of the reasons behind the cancellation of the practice game in Malaysia.
Instead of the friendly game, De Kruif stated that he preferred playing two or three practice matches at home against the BFF XI before departing for Nepal on August 25.
‘We initially organised a practice game [in Malaysia] but the coach preferred not to go there. The decision of the coach is final and since the responsibility of the national team lies with him, we are not going against his wish,’ said Kazi Nabil Ahmed, chairman of the National Team’s Committee.
‘De Kruif also told us not to invite any foreign team within such a short period of time. He favours playing against the BFF XI, which comprises of local and foreign players,’ he added.
Despite some inconsistent displays, De Kruif also said he was satisfied with the fitness of the national team.
‘The coach told he was content with the fitness and strength of the team and he also remarked that his side was in a good shape,’ Nabil informed.
-With New Age input
