The Bangladesh national team received a boost in their quest for the upcoming 10th SAFF Football Championship as injured captain Mamunul Islam underwent a light training session on Monday. After arriving in Kathmandu, Nepal a day earlier, Bangladesh went through their first practice session at the Army Sports Training Facility under Dutch head coach Lodewijk de Kruif.
The Bangladesh national team practised for one hour as midfielder Mamunul and another injured player, Sohel Rana trained lightly as per the instructions of fitness trainer Mohammet Yamali.
Bangladesh are placed in Group B alongside defending champions India, hosts Nepal and Pakistan. To ensure a semi-final spot, Bangladesh have to win at least two matches.
Skipper Mamunul is recovering from an injury on his right knee which he incurred during a practice match for the national side against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club on August 21.
Although things are looking up for Mamunul, team doctor Imran Ali said that Sohel’s injury is a serious one which might force the midfielder out of the regional football competition.
Sohel received the injury while representing the national side in a warm-up match against a Bangladesh Football Federation XI on August 24.
Due to the injury concerns, Dutch coach De Kruif is having a difficult time trimming down his squad to the final requirement of 20.
Meanwhile, the Dutchman earlier ruled out defender Rezaul Karim Reza from his squad before leaving for Nepal.
After cutting down Reza, De Kruif now has five defenders in his disposal – centre-back Nasiruddin Chowdhury, right-backs Ariful Islam, Mohammad Linkon and Raihan Hasan and left-back Wali Faisal.
De Kruif was pondering over whether he will use
Atikur Rahman Meshu as a replacement of Wali in the left-back position as there is no other back-up.
Bangladesh will face hosts Nepal in the opening day of the tournament on August 31 before going on to encounter India on September 3 followed by the final group game against Pakistan two days later.
-With New Age input
