Injury woes trouble Bangladesh camp

Injuries are beginning to disrupt the Bangladesh national football team's preparations for the upcoming ASEAN Cup, though head coach Thomas Dooley insists the fitness issues are a normal part of the pre-season grind.

​Bangladesh's preparations are currently in full swing, with Dooley's side having already played two practice matches. However, the camp has recently been hit by a wave of minor injuries and illnesses. Players are suffering from muscle strains and other physical complaints, forcing several to sit out regular training. The demands of two intensive practice sessions a day appear to be taking their toll, meaning the coach is currently unable to work with his full squad at once.

​Captain and midfielder Jamal Bhuyan has been sidelined for the past few days with a muscle strain and is expected to need a few more days before returning to the pitch. Experienced defender Topu Barman is undergoing a recovery process for a slight knock, while fellow defender Bishwanath Ghosh and winger Foysal Ahmed Fahim are also nursing minor injuries. Furthermore, a couple of players have missed sessions due to bouts of fever.

​Despite the growing absentee list, the German coach remains relatively calm about the situation.

​"These kinds of problems are normal in the pre-season," Dooley said. "Someone has a muscle strain, someone has a neck issue from sleeping. But there is no major concern about these. One had a fever, so he could not train for a day or two."

​However, Dooley warned that player fitness must always be monitored closely and cannot be taken lightly. "Injuries can happen at any time. And an injury is never a small matter; it can become a major cause for concern," he added.

​With the ASEAN Cup fast approaching, a serious setback for experienced players like Bhuyan or Barman could severely impact the team's chances. As a result, Dooley is refusing to take any unnecessary risks with his recovering stars.

​The coach's main focus is to use the remaining time to build the strongest possible team, and he has already begun the process of trimming his preliminary squad. He has made it clear that a place in the final roster will depend on absolute physical fitness just as much as on-pitch performance. While Dooley does not see the current lack of a full, healthy squad as a major hurdle, avoiding any fresh injuries in the final days of the camp remains the team's top priority.

​The Bangladesh squad will travel to Jakarta, Indonesia, on 19 September. Dooley's men will open their ASEAN Cup campaign against Malaysia on 25 September, before taking on Singapore and hosts Indonesia.