BFF Names Challenge Cup and SAFF Squad

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) yesterday announced a 28-member preliminary national football squad for the two upcoming international football tournaments.

Bangladesh will take part in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying round matches to be held from May 5 in Kyrgyzstan and the SAFF Championship from June 3, to be held jointly in Sri Lanka and Maldives.

The selected footballers have been asked to report to coach Abu Yousuf at the BFF Bhaban on March 27.

Preliminary squad for AFC Challenge Cup and SAFF Championship:

Aminul Haque, Biplob Bhatachariya, Ziaur Rahman, Hasan Al Mamun, Wali Faisal, Ariful Islam, Rajani Kanta Barman, Arup Kumar Boydha, Atiqur Rahman Mishu, Mahmudul Hasan, Kazi Mozammel Hossain Saikat, Zahirul Islam, Arman Aziz, Enamul Haq Sharif, Maruf Ahmed, Zumratul Hossain Mithu, Faisal Mahmud, Zahid Hasan, Zahid Pervez Chowdhury, Mohammad Kabir Hossain, Mobarak Hossain Bhuiyan, Kollal Kumar Ghose Zuku, Mamunul Islam Mamun, Mehdi Hasan Uzzal, Abul Hossain, Mohammad Robin, Zahid Hasan Emily, Abdul Baten Mujumder Komol.

Bangladesh Face Afghanistan in AFC Challenge Cup Opener

Bangladesh will play their AFC Challenge Cup qualifying round opening game against Afghanistan at the Bishkek Central Stadium in Kyrgyzstan on May 5.

Laos and hosts Kyrgyzstan are the other teams pitted in Group C along with Bangladesh.

In the remaining group matches, Bangladesh will play Laos on May 7 and Kyrgyzstan on May 9 at the same venue.

Bangladesh hosted the 16-team inaugural AFC Challenge Cup, a tournament for the emerging Asian nations, in 2006 and made an early exit by losing to champions Tajikistan 1-6 in the quarterfinal at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Former International to Coach National Team

Abu Yusuf will coach the national football team in the two coming international tournaments, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) confirmed yesterday.

The former national centre-back, who has the experience of guiding age-group national teams at under 17, 19 and 23 levels, will be given a contract today to serve for the AFC Challenge Cup and the SAFF Championship.

Yusuf, who had the charge of the national boys back in 1998 for a friendly tournament in Qatar, succeeds Indian coach Syed Nayeeumiddin who was originally recruited by the BFF for the SAFF tournament.

Nayeemuddin was let go by the BFF in October after the regional event was deferred.

It will be the first time Bangladesh will compete in the South Asian football extravaganza under a local man after playing the first four editions under foreign coaches:

• Otto Pfister (Kathmandu, 1997)
• Samir Shakir (Goa, 1999)
• George Kottan (Dhaka 2003)
• Diego Cruciani (2005, Karachi)

There is strong belief that Yusuf's appointment was recognition for a coach whose match reading is perhaps the best in the country and who has done hard work for many years.

"There are many reasons that everyone relies on foreign coaches. Maybe the authority feels safe with them. I am happy that I have got this chance," said Yusuf, who has coached all the big teams like Mohammedan, Abahani and Muktijoddha with success but every time was shown the door midway through a campaign.

"Yes, it's a sort of challenge but I don't have a magic wand to change everything overnight. Still I believe that it's possible to get success at this level," he hoped.

Yusuf, who fell out with Muktijoddha officials during last year's inaugural professional league, took charge of Senior Division side Victoria this year and once again proved his guile by taking the team to second place at the end of the first leg.

"I feel there is still enough time to prepare for the SAFF Championship, provided I get help of all the quarters," he added.

With less than three months to go for the SAFF Championship in Sri Lanka and Maldives, Yusuf will have to start training pronto.

"A lot will also depend on the conditions of the players because they would be coming after the off-season. It would be better if we pick up a small squad for starter," said the former international who wants to pick his lot.

"I would like to pick my team because if I fail, I will have to shoulder all the responsibilities. However, sometimes other eyes are helpful because a coach might miss someone.

"Its true we have limited facilities but I want to squeeze the maximum practice out of it because the AFC Challenge Cup is a tough tournament for us."

Bangladesh are pitted against hosts Kyrgyzstan, Laos and Afghanistan in the Challenge Cup qualifiers to be held from May 5-10 and face Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bhutan in the group stages of SAFF soccer in Colombo from June 3-14.

When asked whether he would consider recently retired players or those who chose not to play under past coaches, Yusuf said he would go for the best team.

"I mean not those players who were at their peak two years ago. I will pick those who are in form and fitness now."

BFF Reveal 2008 Football Calendar

A total of 16 tournaments were approved by the Executive Committee of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) with the revival of the popular National Football League and the good old Pioneer League.

The BFF also gave a guideline to the B. League committee to complete the transfer of the second edition of the professional league by February after discussion with the participating clubs. Due to international commitment at national and club levels, the B. League committee might readjust its tentative schedule of April-August.

The national team will take part in the AFC Challenge Cup and the SAFF Championship in March and May respectively this year while B. League holders Abahani are due to play in the AFC President's Cup in April.

The top footballers will get the chance to warm up for the B. League with the Swadhinata Cup to be held in March while the Federation Cup is due for September and the NFL from October-December.

The BFF also extended the time for forming FAs at the six divisions till February 7. Meanwhile, Mojammel Haque Mukta has been named manager of the Under-19 football team which will take part in the 2nd Indo-Bangladesh Games, next month.

Tough Draw for Bangladesh

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) released Bangladesh's international football schedule for national and club teams for the early part of 2008.

The national team received a very tough draw for the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers, where they will have to face hosts Kyrgyzstan for a place in the finals. Bangladesh are also pitted against rather easier opponents Afghanistan and Laos in the Group C qualifiers, which will be held in Kyrgyzstan from May 5-10.

The four group champions will join automatic qualifiers DPR Korea, Turkmenistan, India and Myanmar in the final round. The venue and date of the finals have yet to be decided. The Group A matches will be played in Chinese Taipei, initially chosen as the venue of the second edition of the tournament but cancelled by the AFC for lack of facilities. Apart from the hosts, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Guam complete the group.

Philippines will host defending champions Tajikistan, Brunei and Bhutan in Group B while Nepal compete at home against Palestine, Cambodia and Macao in Group D.

The inaugural AFC Cup was held in Bangladesh, which has not even won the rights to host club matches. Abahani, the professional football league champions of the country, will have to travel to Kathmandu to play their Group A matches of the AFC President's Cup.

It will be the local giants' return to international football after a long time as they failed to win a berth in the previous AFC Cup tournaments. After the Bangladesh Football Federation's failure to send any team to last year's AFC Cup as there had been no competition in 2006, Bangladesh's rating declined as they were demoted to the lowest ranked tournament of the AFC.

The other teams to play in the Himalayan Kingdom from April 20-24 are former President's Cup champions Regar-Tadaz of Tajikistan and national league winners of hosts Nepal and Pakistan. The Group B comprises of holders Dordoi Dynamo of Kyrgyzstan, Nagacorp FC of Cambodia and Taiwan Power of Chinese Taipei who play in Taipei. Colombo will host Group C involving local side Ratnam SC, Asgabat of Turkmenistan, Bhutan Transport United and Kanbawza from Myanmar.