Senior booters inspired by juniors

A part of the football team exchanged greetings with the hockey team and later watched their match against Oman after finishing a practice session at a venue adjacent to the Asian Games' hockey field. The other part, the ones who featured in the match against Qatar on Sunday night, only took part in a swimming session at the team hotel.

Everyone in the squad, including the senior players who are training with the under-23 team as a part of their preparations for next month's SAFF Championship, are basking in the glory.

Nasiruddin Chowdhury, a veteran of the senior national team, said the success of the juniors will inspire the seniors in the upcoming assignments. “When they play on the field, we stay tensed out in the gallery. The juniors have given an Asian success to the nation, now its our responsibility to do something good in the SAFF Championship.”

Coach Jamie Day, who achieved something which many of his more illustrious predecessors had failed, admitted it is one of the best moments of his coaching career. “I'm not a veteran in coaching, but this success is definitely one of the best of my career. It is a matter of great pride,” the 38-year-old coach said.

Bangladesh will play their Round of 16 match on August 24 against North Korea, who beat Saudi Arabia to grab second position in Group F. The runners-up of the last edition started the event pretty poorly, drawing against Myanmar before losing against Iran, only to go through following the last-game win against the Saudis.

However, the Bangladesh team are not concerned about their opposition, rather they just want to play their own game and make these Games a memorable one.