Bangladesh begins preparations with camp in Dhaka

Bangladesh have begun their final preparations for the Asian Champions Trophy with all 26 members of the preliminary squad reporting to the Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium on Wednesday, as the national team faces a race against time ahead of the continental tournament in India.

The six-nation Asian Champions Trophy will be held from 27 October to 5 November, with the league phase in Jalandhar before the competition moves to Mohali for the latter stages. Bangladesh were drafted into the tournament after Pakistan withdrew, giving the side an opportunity to test themselves against the continent's leading teams.

The players reported to camp on Wednesday, while their first official on-field training session is scheduled for 6:30am on Thursday at the same venue. Local coach Shahidullah Titu will oversee the initial sessions before German head coach Gerhard Peter Rach joins the camp, expected by Friday.

Rach's return gives the preparation a familiar face. The German coach, whose previous stint with the national side ended after the Asian Games, has been brought back to lead Bangladesh for the Champions Trophy.

The federation had announced the 26-member preliminary squad on Monday. The selection retained most of the players from the Asian Games squad while adding nine players, including MM Mehrab Hasan Samin, Nuruzzaman Nayan, Abed Uddin, Md Taiyab Ali, Md Tanvir Rahman Siyam, Md Abdullah, Md Mahmud Hasan, Al Nahian Shuvo and Md Arshad Hossain.

BHF joint secretary Ariful Haque Prince said, "Playing in a major tournament like the Asian Champions Trophy is extremely positive for our hockey." 

He added, "Our players will have the opportunity to face Asia's top teams and gain valuable experience."
Bangladesh's campaign begins against defending champions India on 27 October in Jalandhar. They will subsequently face Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and China in the single round-robin league phase.

With only 13 days separating the start of the camp from their opening match, the coming sessions will be crucial as Bangladesh look to sharpen their game before stepping onto one of Asian hockey's biggest stages.