Dhaka: Bangladesh national hockey team’s head coach Mamun Ur Rashid expressed confidence in defending the title at the upcoming AHF Cup hockey tournament. The Bangladesh team, known for their strong performances in past AHF Cup tournaments, aims to continue their winning streak in the 10-team event taking place from April 17 to 27 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The team is set to depart for Indonesia on Monday night.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the men in red and green have successfully clinched the AHF Cup title in the last four editions held in 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2022. Head Coach Mamun Ur Rashid stated that the goal remains to capture the championship once again. He noted that the team’s preparation has been robust, with players undergoing nearly one and a half months of rigorous training.
Mamun acknowledged the strength of all participating teams, highlighting Indonesia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, and Sri Lanka as formidable opponents. Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about Bangladesh’s
ability to advance past the group stage, identifying Oman as a significant competitor in the tournament.
Addressing concerns over the lack of practice matches prior to the tournament, Mamun admitted to feeling some pressure. He explained that while efforts were made to arrange practice games, financial constraints within the federation prevented the organization of overseas matches. The training camp, which commenced on February 25, will continue until the team’s departure on April 14. The final squad of eighteen players was selected based on their performance during the camp.
The AHF Cup serves as a qualification event for the Asia Cup. In the tournament, Bangladesh is placed in Pool B alongside hosts Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Kazakhstan. The team’s fixtures are scheduled as follows: April 18 against Kazakhstan, April 20 against Indonesia, April 22 against Thailand, and April 23 against Sri Lanka.