Saintfiet keen to take Emily, Rony

Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet yesterday expressed his desire to meet injured strikers Zahid Hasan Emily and Shakhawat Hossain Rony to learn their current condition in a bid to increasing his options ahead of the ties against Bhutan in September and October.

Saintfiet has only two centre-forwards – Nabib Newaj Jibon and Rashed Hasan Turjo – in his 32-member preliminary squad for the Asian Cup qualifying play-offs against Bhutan as both Emily and Rony were in a rehabilitation programme to cure their knee injuries.

“Scoring is a big problem for us and we will have to overcome it,” Saintfiet told reporters yesterday after the training session where the players underwent drills like shooting, crossing and heading.

“We are missing the services of Rony and also don't know about the current condition of Emily. I want to know their conditions so that I have more choices in striking position. We need strikers who have the ability to score,” said the 43-year-old coach.

Assistant coach Saiful Bari Titu has already carried the message to both the players who are supposed to meet the Belgian coach today.