Krishnamurthy expecting tough challenge in Asian Games Qualifiers

Head coach Iman Gobinathan Krishnamurthy picked an almost same hockey squad that participated in the AHF Cup for upcoming Asian Games Qualifiers. with only Rakibul Hasan coming in place of Mahbub Hossain.

Krishnamurthy initially picked 36 players for the residential training camp at BKSP before trimming the number to 20. Out of the 20 members, the Deen Islam Emon and Al Nahian Shuvo have been kept as standby.

Bangladesh team emerged unbeaten champions in AHF Cup to advance into May's Hero Asia Cup. Now the charges of Krishnamurthy are scheduled to compete against the opponents of the AHF Cup in the Asian Games Qualifiers, starting from May 6 in Thailand. Six teams out of nine will qualify for September's Asian Games in China.

Krishnamurthy believes the Asian Games qualifying campaign will be tough for Bangladesh for two reasons – firstly, the opponents now know how Bangladesh play, and secondly, the hot and humid conditions in Thailand.

"Earlier during the AHF Cup, no one knew how Bangladesh played but now everyone know how they play, so it will not be easy for the boys to perform. Considering things, I have brought some changes in play for Asian Games Qualifiers and it is very important to maintain things we want to implement in the matches," Krishnamurthy told The Daily Star on Wednesday.

"Besides, we have to play amid hot and humid weather in Thailand, which is not easy. But the boys are ready to perform," said the Malaysian.  "It will not be easy for us. So we will take every match individually and progress from thereon."

After a three-day rest from Saturday, the men in red and green will have another two-day training at Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium before flying out for Thailand on May 4.

"Amid the Ramadan, training had been tough for the boys but we gave them full support and I think preparation had been good," Krishnamurthy said. "The boys are given three days' vacation to meet with the family members and I think it will boost the players mentally before departure."

Bangladesh have been placed in Pool B alongside Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Singapore. They will start the campaign on May 7 against Indonesia before playing against Sri Lanka and Singapore on May 10 and 12.  

Squad: Biplob Kujur, Abu Sayeed Nippan, Khorshedur Rahman, Farhad Ahmed Shitul, Ashraful Islam Shitul, Mehedi Hasan, Rezaul Karim Babu, Sarwar Hossain, Sohanur Rahman Sabuj, Roman Sarkar, Nayeem Uddin, Prince Lal Samanta, Rasel Mahmud Jimmy, Arshad Hossain, Milon Hossain, Fazle Hossain Rabbi and Pushkor Khisa Mimo.