ZCZC
BSP-13
FOOTBALL-BOOTERS-UPSET
Booters mentally upset a little
DHAKA, May 24, 2021 (BSS)- The national booters are mentally a little bit upset after their tour of Saudi Arabia, for the preparation of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, has been deferred at the eleventh hour.
“Yes it’s a little bit upsetting because all were ready to go……… it’ll be good for us if we able to go in Saudi Arabia to play practice match ahead of the big three matches of qualifier …so it’ll be good for us if we could go to Saudi Arabia,” said national football team’s custodian Anisur Rahman Zico to the pressmen during the team’s practice session at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS).
After the sudden postponement of Saudi Arabia trip in the morning, the national booters did not sit in the hotel room as they came to the BNS this morning to continue their training under the supervision of national team’s head coach Jamie Day.
The national team were scheduled to fly for Saudi Arabia at 11 am to continue their camp. The team was also scheduled to play one or two practice matches before the Qatar mission.
Zico, who represents Bashundhara Kings in the Bangladesh Premier League, said the same things had also happened with him in the AFC Cup match and this kind of similar incident is now suddenly happening in the COVID-19 situation.
Earlier, Bashundhara Kings were forced to cancel their trip to the Maldives following a travel ban issued by the country.
The immigration authorities of Maldives imposed a restriction on travellers from seven South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, for visiting the country amid rising Covid-19 cases in the region.
Bashundhara Kings were scheduled to leave for the Maldives earlier this month to play in the AFC Cup group D matches.
Replying to a question Zico said though they will get a little time in Saudi Arabia, but one practice match is important for them because the team would be benefited as the weather conditions of Saudi Arabia and Qatar are quite similar. So it’ll be good for them if they are able to play a practice match there before the Qatar mission.
Replying to another question Zico said If the situation were normal, they could go to Qatar for training but in this COVID-19 situation there is no other way to accept it.
When wanted to know the latest COVID-19 situation of the camp, Zico replied that Ibrahim is the only man who tested COVID-19 positive so far.
Team’s manager Iqbal Hossain said we did not get the quarantine relaxation letter till Sunday last evening but we are still trying and we’ll inform the development regarding this issue to the press by this afternoon.
He said all things including hotel booking and ticket were confirmed but the trip has been deferred only for that letter.
When asked how the Bangladesh Football Federation confirmed the hotel and ticket keeping away the important issue of quarantine in the COVID-19 situation, Iqbal said actually the federation already communicated there, it has happened may be because of three hours of time difference to Saudi Arabia, this may be the reason for the delay in receiving the letter.
Replying to another question Iqbal said their departure for Saudi Arabia will depend on receiving that letter.
BSS/SG/AU/18:05 hrs