The Bangladesh national hockey team will begin training on Monday ahead of their decisive playoff series against Pakistan, which will determine qualification for the World Cup qualifiers.
To strengthen the squad, the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) is weighing up the possibility of involving Dutch coach Siegfried Aikman, who is currently in charge of the under-21 side.
“We are considering involving Aikman in the national team’s training. Although his contract is with the under-21 side, we will request him to support the senior team as well,” BHF General Secretary Riazul Hasan said on Wednesday.
Pakistan did not take part in the recent Asia Cup in India, prompting the International Hockey Federation to schedule a three-match playoff against the sixth-placed side, Bangladesh. Under Asian Hockey Federation rules, the series will be hosted at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium in Dhaka on 13, 14 and 16 November. Pakistan are expected to arrive on 10 November.
The timing of the series has created a logistical challenge, as the under-21 Hockey World Cup begins on 28 November in Tamil Nadu, India. Eight players are part of both the under-21 and senior squads. BHF had originally requested to hold the playoff after the junior tournament, but the Asian Hockey Federation insisted it be completed beforehand.
Riazul played down concerns over player fatigue, saying the Pakistan series would provide valuable exposure for the younger members of the squad as they prepare to make the step up to senior international hockey.
