Mintu named U-23 team’s head coach

Zulfiker Mahmud Mintu has been made the head coach of Bangladesh U-23 national football team for the upcoming AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, which is scheduled to be played in Thailand from September 4 to 12.

AFC A licence holder Mintu, who is also the head coach of Bangladesh Premier League club Sheikh Russel KC, had previously worked with the senior national team as assistant coach Maruful Haque during SAFF Championship and Bangabandhu Gold Cup.

Masud Parvez Kaiser, the head coach of Fortis FC, has been named as Mintu's assistant. Kaiser had worked in the same position of the senior national team previously.

The decision was made yesterday at the adjourned meeting of the National Teams Committee, headed by BFF vice-president Kazi Nabil Ahmed.

Bangladesh were drawn in Group H along with hosts Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines. The winners and four best runners-up teams from 11 groups will advance to the finals to be held in Qatar next year.