Bangladesh's Dutch football coach Lodewijk de kruif is trying something different with his youthful

side in an attempt to make an impression in the forthcoming Asian Games, an event where Bangladesh have never crossed the first round barrier.

De Kruif adopted the more conventional ploy of building the game from behind in SAFF Championship. But it did not work in the regional championship where he often found his boys depositing the ball to the opponents with a lot of erratic passes.

However, while working with his charges at the BKSP in Savar, the Dutch coach resorted to a slightly different strategy of quick counterattack on the break without slowing down the pace of the game. This is certainly a smart approach considering the fact that Bangladesh would be up against the top Asian teams, who are miles ahead of them in terms of skill and physical fitness.

"We have practised with the ball for just two sessions and it seems to me that this training is different from the SAFF Championship. What 1 have understood from these sessions is that the coach wants us to move fast with the ball. This is a style Sheikh lamal Club followed this season," said captain Mamunul Islam while talking to this reporter at BKSP's International Hostel on Wednesday.

Bangladesh are expected to be the favourite punchbags at the Games, starting in the South Korean city of Incheon from September 19. Last time at Guangzhou four years ago they lost all their three group league games against UAE (3-0), Uzbekistan (3-0) and Hong Kong (4-1).

To reap results of quick counterattack de Kruif is banking more on his young forwards in the absence of experienced duo of Zahid Hasan Emily and Mithun Chowdhury.

He is trying with Mohammedan's Wahed Ahmed, Team BJMC's Aminur Rahman Sajib, Sheikh Jamal DCs Toklish Ahmed and Brothers Union's Jewel Rana upfront. All four strikers are more or less fast runners but they lack finishing touches and this is the area the Dutch coach is trying to improve on.

De Kruif is also searching for the suitable players to fit into his formation and game plan and to attain that goal he is giving emphasis on the young brigade instead of the senior ones, who have been serving the national team for seven to eight

years already.

This effort extremely excited experienced defender Atiqur Rahman Meshu who believes this young bunch of hooters has got bright prospect.

"They [young players] just need international exposure to gather experience and I am sure they are capable of winning the SAFF Championship if they can play 10 to 15 tough international matches before the 2015 SAFF Championship," said Meshu, a reliable right-back of de Kruif.

The players are also optimistic about putting up a better show than last year's regional competition in Nepal. They are enjoying the way this training is going on.

"It is tough to spend time after the gruelling training session in the afternoon. Besides, in Savar you will find hardly any place to visit. A TV set is the only piece of entertainment for us at night. However, we would have loved to have a TV set in each room," said Mamunul, a former BKSP student.