National team’s Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet wanted to know the current conditions of two experienced forwards Zahid Hasan Ameli and Shakhwat Hossain Rony in order to solve the striking problems of his side.
Both Ameli and Rony, who are out of the national side for a while due to injuries, are in a rehabilitation camp of Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra and the coach wanted to watch them in the field to get more options in the attacking third.
That will help Sainfiet making the final squad for the forthcoming Asian Cup qualification Play-offs against Bhutan on September 6 and October 10 respectively in Dhaka and Thimpu.
Sainfiet, who is now working to improve the shooting and set-piece skills, noticed that lack of finishing is one of the main problems of the Bangladesh national team.
‘Today, we tried shooting, crossing and heading,’ said Saintfiet.
‘Scoring goals is a big problem and we have to improve on that.
‘We missed the service of Rony and also don’t know about the current condition of Ameli. I want to know their condition so that I have more choice of strikers. We need the strikers, who have the ability to score.’
Ameli, who is recovering from the knee injury on his right leg that he sustained during the Independence Cup match between Sheikh Russell and Abahani Limited, received a phone call from assistant coach Saiful Bari Titu on Friday.
‘Titu bhai told me that the coach wanted to talk with me,’ said Ameli.
‘After taking one month rest, I started gym and light running and I am hoping to back get my full fitness before the start of Bangladesh Premier League.
‘I hope I will be fit to play the first game against Bhutan if I get a chance.’
Rony is also recovering from a knee injury after returning from India where he had went for treatment.
‘I was out of the national team for a long period which is really painful for me,’ said the striker.
‘Now I feel more comfortable after the treatment in Mumbai and eager to return for the national duty.’
-With New Age input
