Dhaka-Two non-playing members of the touring Bangladesh contingent now in Doha, Qatar– Mohd Amer Khan (Team Manager) and Fuad Hasan (Team Physiotherapist), have tested positive for Covid-19 upon arrival in the Gulf state
Bangladesh Football team, which reached Doha Thursday afternoon, gave samples for Covid test at the airport and the two officials tested positive despite not presenting any symptoms of coronavirus, said a media release from Doha on Friday.
All other players and officials of Bangladesh contingent are well. The team are now maintaining three days mandatory room quarantine in the hotel.
After a three day quarantine in Doha, Bangladesh team is likely to start their practice session on Nov 22 and scheduled to play two preparatory matches against the local selections on Nov 25 and 28 respectively.
However, Bangladesh team cancelled Friday’s gym session due to two officials testing Covid-19 positive. Qatar FA will organise the Covid-19 test again Sunday.
Friday’s weather in Doha now is similar to Dhaka.
Earlier, Bangladesh national football team reached Qatar Thursday afternoon without two key players striker Nabib Newaj Zibon and defender Manjurur Rahman Manik to play the joint qualification match of FIFA World Cup 2022 and Asian Cup 2023.
Touring Bangladesh will play their tough round-2 Group E away match against the Asian champions and hosts Qatar in Doha on December 4.
Bangladesh conceded a 0-2 goals defeat against Asian champions Qatar in their home match in Dhaka on October 10 last year.
In the five-team Group E, Qatar is now leading the point table with 13 points from five matches while Bangladesh are at the bottom place with one point from four matches. Among others, Oman secured 12, Afghanistan 4 and India 3 points
The Bangladesh national team consists of 25 booters (out of 27) and 10 officials, also missed their British Head Coach Jamie Day, who tested Covid-19 positive for the second time on Monday, apart from Zibon and Monjurur.
However, Jamie Day may join the national squad in Qatar later after recovery.
Monjurur Rahman dropped from team in the dying moment as he tested Covid-19 positive while striker Zibon missed the trip due to knee injury.
Earlier, Bangladesh clinched the two-match Mujib Borsho FIFA International Series 1-0 against Nepal after playing out a goalless draw in the 2nd match, beating them 2-0 in the first match in Dhaka to earn morale boost-up ahead of their tough match against Asian giant Qatar.
Members of Bangladesh team:
Players:Ashraful Islam Rana, Anisur Rahman Zico, Pappu Hossain, Topu Barman, Bishwanath Ghosh, Yeasin Khan, Rahmat Miya, Sushanto Tripura, Riyadul HasanRayhan Hasan, Jamal Bhuiyan, Atiqur Rahman Fahad, Mamunul Islam Mamun, Sohel Rana, Rabiul Hasan, Biplo Ahamed, Mohammad Ibrahim, Saaduddin, Towhidul Alam Sabuj, Rakib Hossain, Manik Hossain Mollah, Yeasir Arafat, Sumon Reza ,Mahbubur Rahman Sufil and MS Bablu.
Officials: Amer Khan (Manager), Stuart Paul Watkiss (Asstt Coach), Masud Parvez Kaiser (Asstt Coach), Leslie Cleevely(Goalkeeping Coach), Ivan Razlog (Fitness Coach), Andre Juan Carle (Physio), Fuad Hasan Hawlader (Physio), M Atiquzzaman (Doctor), Hasan Mahmud (Media Officer) and Mohammad Mohsin (Attendent).UNB
