Bangladesh men鈥檚 under-21 hockey team will leave home on September 23 for Malaysia for a week-long training camp ahead of the 2025 FIH Hockey Men鈥檚 Junior World Cup.
Dutch coach Siegfried Gottlieb Aikman, who began his tenure with the Bangladesh team on September 1, has trimmed the squad from an initial 40 players to a 26-man team, following over a month-long training camp at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium.
The 66-year-old Aikman鈥檚 team will play four preparation matches against Malaysia鈥檚 U-21 team during their overseas camp.
鈥榃e want to change many things and the core is that we need to understand that we are not the best team there (World Cup). We are trying to bring balance in both the attack and defence departments,鈥� said Aikman at the pre-tour press conference at the Bangladesh Hockey Federation.
鈥楾he reality is we will play in Malaysia. And, Malaysia also has a good under-21 team, I expect... Our players need more experience,鈥� Aikman added.
Debutant Bangladesh will face 1997 champions Australia, France, and South Korea in their Group F matches at the World Cup, which will be held in India from November 28 to December 10.
After the group stage, the eight group winners and the two best second-placed teams will advance to the quarter-finals.
The other four second-placed teams and the four best third-ranked teams will play in playoffs for 9th to 16th places, while the remaining teams will compete for positions from 17th to 24th.
