National hockey coach Naveed Alam desperately wants an international practice match before starting their Asian Games Hockey Qualifiers in Dhaka from March 15.
The Pakistani coach, who is currently preparing the national team at BKSP, said he is not taking anything lightly. “The national team is out of international match practice for the last few months, and there are some new faces in the team, and it would also be mentionable that seven players who are the part of the Asia Cup team are not in the team now.
“Playing against local opposition helps but it does not expose the weaknesses properly. So I have asked the hockey federation to arrange a practice match with any team of the other pool if they arrive earlier,” said Naveed.
Naveed said the spirit of the team is high and all of the players are focused on winning the title.
Meanwhile midfielders Sheikh Mohammad Nannu and Sarwar Hossain returned to the 18-member national team squad declared by the hockey federation. Defenders Belal Hossain, Babu and forward Moniruzzaman Rocky are the three new players.
Goalkeeper Zahid Hossain, midfielder Kamruzzaman Rana, defender Imran Hasan Pintu and striker Rasel Mahmud Jimmy, injured midfielder Moshiur Rahman Biplob, Shohag and Abdul Malek are the players who were omitted from the Asia Cup squad.
Singapore, Hong Kong and China are with Bangladesh in Pool B while Oman, Sri Lanka, Taipei and Qatar are in Pool A.
Squad: Asim Gope, Manwar Hossain, Mamunur Rahman Chayan, Khorshedur Rahman, Taposh Barman, Sadekur Rahman Situl, Babu, Irfanul Haque, Sarwar Hossain, Sheikh Mohammad Nannu, Rummon Ali, Krishna Kumar, Pushkor Khisa Mimo, Hasan Jubair Niloy, Belal Hossain, Moniruzzaman Rocky, Sabbir Rana and Moinul Islam Koushik.