Schweichler ready for Bangladesh challenge

Christian Schweichler, Bangladesh’s new goalkeeping coach, is looking forward to make his presence felt in the upcoming AFC Under-23 Qualifiers. The 36-year old German and Lodewijk de Kruif, Bangladesh’s Dutch head coach, arrived in Dhaka yesterday.

De Kruif explained the reason behind the arrival of Schweichler. “Bangladesh’s goalkeeping was not perfect in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup and also in the Asian Games. So, I asked Bangladesh Football Federation president Kazi Salahuddin for a goalkeeping coach for the AFC U-23 Qualifiers and he responded positively. You know, the best goalkeepers always come from Germany and they have a proven track-record. He has good experience about his business and I believe that he will be making his presence felt in the AFC U-23 Qualifiers and Bangladesh will be benefitted,” said the Dutchman.

Schweichler was brimming with confidence when he faced the media yesterday. “I look forward to taking the challenge. Goalkeeping is an art and everywhere, it goes through some problems. It needs education, training and the right development programme in order to groom the goalkeepers. I will try my best to help the Bangladesh players although I will get a very short time. I have been with Lebanon in the World Cup Qualifiers. I was in Sudan with Al-Merrikh and won the Super Cup. In 2013, I was in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq. So, I think I have a fair knowledge about Asian football,” said the German.

Schweichler studied sports science at the highly-esteemed German Sport University Cologne and holds coaching qualifications obtained from the German Football Association and Royal Dutch Football Association. He also coached goalkeepers from clubs and teams associated with the Union of European Football Associations, the Confederation of African Football and the Asian Football Confederation.