Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) has announced an 18-member squad for the 8th Asia Cup Hockey to be held in the Malaysian city of Kuantan from May 9 to May 16.

Three uncapped players have been named in the squad along with the new skipper Rasel Mahmud Jimmy while the team was declared in the BHF offices at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium yesterday.

Pushkor Khisa, Taposh Barmon and goalkeeper Rafiqul Islam earned the call-up for the first time. Former national goalie Mahbub Ullah Chowdhury has also been retained in the side as the experienced custodian.

Skipper Jimmy said that the team will look to play positive hockey and make every effort to beat the opposition despite Bangladesh being ranked the lowest in the tournament.

"We are aware of the rankings and the positions other teams are in but we will play all out for a victory. Our main target is to beat Japan because we strongly believe that we are capable of it. We have been training hard for the past few weeks and the boys have worked hard and if we just play our natural game a victory will be inevitable," said Jimmy

Bangladesh is in Group-B along with Japan, Korea and hosts Malaysia and will play their first match against Japan on the opening day. The other group comprises of India. Pakistan and China.

Bangladesh will play Korea on May 11 and their last group match is against Malaysia on May 12.

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The team will be playing a practice match a day after they arrive in Kuantan on May 6.

National coach Gerhard Peter Rach, his deputy along with a new German computer analyst Achim Mertens is already in Malaysia assessing the conditions and oppositions ahead of the meet.

BHF General Secretary' has informed that it was the first time in the history of the country's hockey that a computer analyst has been appointed.

"Achim Mertens who is a computer analyst from Germnay will join our team but he has been working for us since last month's Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament in Malaysia. Mertens will be a part of our contingent till the end of the Asia Cup after which there is every possibility that we will extend his stay,” said Jamil.

SQUAD

Rasel Mahmud Jimmy (captain), Mamun ur Rahman Cbayan (vice-captain), Rafiqul Islam (goalkeeper), ASM Mahbub Ullah Chowdhury (goalkeeper), Sheikh Nannu, Md. Asquzzaman, Musharof Hossain Kuti, Zahidul Islam. Pushkor Khisa, Zahid Bin Talib Shuvo, Krishno Kumk, Mosiur Rahman B iptob. AKM Shamsuddin, AHM Kamruzzaman. Ashaduzzaman Chandan, Rimon Kumar Ghosh, Iqbal Nadir, Taposh Barmon.