Dutchman Lodewijk de Kruif arrived Dhaka on Wednesday to take charge of the national football team for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers, which is set to get underway from June 11. Kruif is expected to supervise the team in the first two matches, respectively against Kirgizstan and Tajikistan on June 11 and 16. The Bangladesh Football Federation said earlier that they will give the coach only a short term contract, preferably for two months, this time around.
With the Bangladesh Premier League at its peak now, Kruif said he will now watch the matches and visit the clubs to find the right combination for the first two World Cup qualifiers.
‘I arrived in Dhaka to watch the league and see the players’ performances who are involved with the national team,’ Kruif told reporters at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Wednesday.
‘I will talk to the players and visit their clubs to see how they are fit physically and mentally.
The Dutch coach said he is concerned about the injuries of the three national stalwarts — Mamunul Islam, Sohel Rana and Raihan Hasan.
‘Mamunul, Sohel and Raihan are injured. I want to see everyone fit,’ he said.
‘We have approximately 40 players to look out for. As soon as the league is finished we will start the camp.’
Kruif indicated that he may include some expatriates in the preliminary squad in future provided they can prove their worth.
‘We have some players in Wales, Cardiff, Newcastle and in Norwich City. We have one in Japan and one in Germany.
‘But I didn’t see them. It will take time to meet them though I have them in my books and I have all the information about them,’ said the coach.
At present the Dutchman said he is only considering German based Reasat Khaton.
‘Reasat Khaton is now playing in Philippines and we will invite him to join us and will see if he can make it,’ said the Dutch coach.
Kruif will have a German goalkeeping coach in Christian Schweichler among his support staff.
Schweichler arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday and is set to start his work with six goalkeepers from today.
-With New Age input
