Bangladesh’s Under-20 national football team is determined to make significant progress by developing a strong winning mentality, with the players and coaching staff looking beyond the immediate competition towards a broader international future.
Head coach Gerard Emlen Jones and new recruit Adam Abbas spoke about the team’s preparations and ambitions during a media briefing on Sunday at the Shamsul Huda Football Academy in Jashore, following a training session at the residential camp.
Jones said the extended training programme had given the coaching staff valuable opportunities to assess the players’ abilities, understand their strengths and identify areas requiring further improvement. The team’s plans, he explained, are not limited to the current competition. Preparations are also being shaped with forthcoming international tournaments involving Bangladesh’s Under-17 and Under-20 sides in mind.
The squad has already played more than four friendly matches as part of its preparation. Those games have provided the players with experience of different tactical situations while also allowing the coaching staff to assess their physical condition and ability to cope with pressure.
The emphasis has been placed not only on technical development but also on stamina, balance and mental resilience. Jones wants his players to remain positive regardless of the condition of the pitch or the circumstances of a match. The objective is straightforward: to represent Bangladesh with maximum commitment and compete for victories rather than simply participate.
The coaching staff also have plans for Adam Abbas, one of the latest additions to the squad. Jones described the young footballer as professional, humble and eager to learn. The team intends to help him develop further as both an effective player and a reliable goalscorer.
For Abbas, the opportunity to represent Bangladesh has brought a strong sense of pride. He said he was delighted to take the field for the country and praised the efforts of the national team, assistant coaching staff and technical team.
The young footballer also cited the progress of players such as Hamza Choudhury and Yasin Alfi Reza as an inspiration. Their involvement at senior international level has demonstrated to younger Bangladeshi players that there is a pathway from age-group football to the national side.
Abbas said performing well on major stages, including the upcoming AFC Asian Cup, is among the team’s principal ambitions. He also highlighted the understanding between the players and coaching staff, believing that continued hard work and unity could help Bangladesh achieve important results at senior level in the future.
Born to Bangladeshi heritage, Abbas has travelled from England to join the Bangladesh set-up. The 19-year-old primarily operates as a right winger but can also play as a centre-forward or in the number nine role when required.
His background includes experience in the youth systems of two established English clubs, Manchester United and Burnley. That experience has added another dimension to his footballing development, while his versatility could provide the Bangladesh coaching staff with additional options in attacking areas.
For the Under-20 side, the current camp therefore represents more than preparation for one tournament. The combination of regular training, friendly matches, physical conditioning and tactical development is intended to create a group capable of handling the demands of international football.
The immediate challenge is to turn that preparation into performances on the pitch. Jones and his players believe a positive approach, collective effort and a genuine desire to win can provide the foundation for a more successful future for Bangladesh football.
