Bangladesh\u2019s head coach Lodewijk de Kruif has warned Australia that the South Asians will be visiting to Perth for their September 3 World Cup qualifiers ready for action.
\nHis Bengal Tigers recovered from a 3-1 home loss to Kyrgyzstan on June 11 to draw 1-1 in Tajikistan five days later and de Kruif is looking forward to a first meeting with the reigning Asian champions.
\n\u2018Facing the number one team in Asia will force us to be careful,\u2019 the Dutch coach told www.socceroos.com.au.
\n\u2018They have great players with experience in big leagues. We respect them but we will not hide. This is absolutely no tourist trip.
\n\u2018All my players are full professionals and most became big stars in the last three years. We have good quality players. I expect lots of learning moments, a great atmosphere and a massive experience for my players.\u2019
\nThe coach concedes that finishing in the top two and trying to get to the final round of qualification is unlikely but wants to finish as high as possible in Group B.
\nAfter all, there is a chance to qualify for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
\n\u2018Before we started the qualifiers I was focused on third place. It\u2019s a high target but when your target is zero then don\u2019t play in professional sport.\u2019
\nThere are still headaches, though. The team\u2019s Achilles heel is a tendency to concede late goals. It happened at home to Tajikistan in June. It has been something that de Kruif has complained about on plenty of occasions.
\n\u2018It\u2019s a concentration problem. If players are used to playing at a high international level then they can he play ninety minutes with full concentration and focus.\u2019
\nDe Kruif came to Dhaka in 2013 and has been trying to change the way the team play.
\n\u2018When I came in less than three years ago, Bangladesh was playing an old English style with long balls and from there fighting for the second ball to see what will happen.
\n\u2018There were big spaces between the lines when they had the ball and when the opponent had the ball and no clear organisation in the team\u2019s tactical discipline.
\n\u2018We worked on that with some Dutch style influences and we created our own game. Let\u2019s say it\u2019s the only style I can lecture, that\u2019s where I was brought up. My players adapted to the style very well, there\u2019s always work to do but up until now I am satisfied.\u2019
\nFor Bangladesh, the game, big though it undoubtedly is, is another step on the road marked \u2018development\u2019 and a valuable look around the home of one of Asia\u2019s biggest and best.
\n\u2018Football is very alive in Bangladesh. We have a population of 180 million and there are many talents. We just have to find them, give them a good football education with educated coaches.
\n\u2018Create academies over the country open for different age categories. Organize youth leagues and tournaments and make a connection to school football. This way a good foundation is guaranteed.
\n\u2018Step by step we are making a great progression. I want to make Bangladesh a stronger national team and professionalize all levels of football.\u2019
\nAnd the game is not only a chance for Bangladesh to play the Asian champions in a competitive game, it is also a chance for the Dutch boss to show locals what he is capable of.
\n\u2018It\u2019s a fighting job to survive in Bangladesh but I like it. I am interested to work in Australia. With my experience, education and background I expect to fit in the Australian system perfectly.\u2019<\/p>\n

-With New Age<\/strong> input<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bangladesh\u2019s head coach Lodewijk de Kruif has warned Australia that the South Asians will be visiting to Perth for their September 3 World Cup qualifiers ready for action. His Bengal Tigers recovered from a 3-1 home loss to Kyrgyzstan on June 11 to draw 1-1 in Tajikistan five days later and de Kruif is looking … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[2347,209,4281,12265,1683,10812,4621],"yoast_head":"\n