Bruzon rules out experiments, calls Eleta

The newly-appointed Bangladesh national football team coach Oscar Bruzon said that there is no time for experiments as the SAFF Championship is knocking at the door.

The Spanish coach, who has been coaching Basundhara Kings since August 2018, took charge of the national team on Wednesday after clinching his second Bangladesh Premier League title with the club on Monday.

Bruzon, speaking at the press conference on Wednesday, said that it will give a little edge as there are ten footballers from Basundhara Kings in the announced preliminary squad for the South Asian Football Championship.

“I have one advantage that I have 10 footballers from Basundhara Kings in the team who understand my style and technique. For the rest, my coaching staffs are there. We have no time for experiments. We have to go all-out. We have to work according to the plan,” said Bruzon.

Basundhara Kings went to Maldives to play in the AFC Cup group stage matches where they played against teams like ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC in the same venue where matches of the SAFF Championship will take place.

Bruzon is keeping his feet on the ground but at the same time aiming higher.

“Bangladesh have chances. The reality is, Bangladesh is the second lowest-ranked team in the SAFF. But our players have the potential to do more. We will go there to win the final,” he told the media.

The newly-appointed coach also announced the preliminary squad for SAFF with 26 members, where he dropped the two non-resident Bangladeshi footballers Rahbar Wahed Khan and Tahmid Islam, along with Uttar Baridhara goalkeeper Mitul Marma.

Ashraful Islam Rana, Tutul Hossain Badsha, Atiqur Rahman Fahad, Atiqur Rahman Fahad, Manik Mollah, Jewel Rana and Eleta Kingsley are the six players included in the squad who were not picked by Jamie Day for the Kyrgyzstan tour.

Bruzon said, “The best footballers of the BPL have been drafted in this team. They are the best footballers of the best clubs. They play to win. They might play in different styles, but they will play to win.”

“I wanted to go ahead professionally. I understand the situation of Jamie. In these circumstances, I have only one week in hand. Now I have no time for scrutiny. That’s why a 26-member team has been announced. From here, 23 will finally go to SAFF,” said the coach.

Bangladesh failed to go past the group stage of the SAFF Championship in the last four editions. 2009 was the last time Bangladesh played in the semifinals.

Bruzon is confident that the team could reach the final.

“I want to win the title. The Federation is trying to help in every way. I trust the footballers. If we can maintain possession and play according to our model, then it is possible. My job will be to emit the confidence among the players,” he told the media.

Bruzon has been a successful club coach in Bangladesh with a bunch of foreign recruits, but without them, he will be tested against regional opponents.

He said that he was ready to take the challenge without any pressure.

“The objective was not to concede any goal. I want to change that. I am confident, and there is no pressure. I will bring some technical and tactical changes in the team, you will see,” said Bruzon.