A 24-member Bangladesh national hockey team flew out this morning for Rajgir, Bihar, via Kolkata to compete in the AHF Men’s Hockey Asia Cup, which begins on 29 August. Despite not qualifying directly, Bangladesh were handed a last-minute opportunity to participate after Pakistan withdrew from the tournament due to security concerns.
Bangladesh had finished third in the AHF Cup in April in Indonesia, missing out on automatic qualification. However, they now find themselves in Pool B alongside Malaysia, defending champions South Korea and Chinese Taipei.
The team had limited time to prepare, with only 14 days of training this month following a 12-day fitness camp in July. Head coach Moshiur Rahman Biplob acknowledged concerns over player fitness, as there has been no domestic competition since April.
“The boys gave their maximum in the training in the last 14 days to get prepared, and I believe they can produce something good if they can perform according to their potential,” Biplob told The Daily Star before the team’s departure from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday.
The team is expected to reach Rajgir by night, travelling by road after landing in Kolkata. They will have two more training sessions before facing Malaysia on the tournament’s opening day. Bangladesh will also play a two-quarter practice game against Kazakhstan on Wednesday.
Bangladesh squad for the Asia Cup:
Goalkeepers: Biplob Kujur, Nuruzzaman Noyon
Defenders: Mohammad Ashraful Islam, Rezaul Karim Babu, Forhad Ahmed Situl, Sohanur Rahman Sabuj, Hozzaifa Hossain, Amirul Islam, Mohammad Mehedi Hasan
Midfielders: Mohammad Roman Sarkar, Mohammad Fazle Hossain Rabbi, Al Nahiyan Shuvo, Taiyeb Ali, Tanvir Rahman Siam
Forwards: Obaidul Hossain Joy, Mohammad Rakibul Hasan, Mohammad Arshad Hossain, Mohammad Abdullah
Standby player: Mohammad Shahidur Rahman Saju