Former ManU academy forward Adam Abbas joins Bangladesh U-20 camp

Leaving behind the familiar green fields of England and the modern facilities of Premier League academies, Adam Abbas is adapting to a completely different environment. The 19-year-old forward, who has a connection to Bangladesh through his mother, began his football journey at the Manchester United academy. He has now joined the Bangladesh Under-20 national team's preparatory camp.

Arriving in Dhaka from England on Saturday morning, Abbas went straight to the Shamsul Huda Academy in Jashore. There, he met his teammates at the camp and received a warm welcome. On Sunday, the second day of the camp, he took to the field for training for the first time. The winger trained with his new teammates for nearly two hours on the soft, muddy pitch.

Along with adapting to a foreign environment and pitches, Abbas is also quickly building an understanding with his teammates. He appeared quite cheerful during training, and his dribbling and passing skills have impressed coach Gerard Emlyn Jones.

The coach also has special plans for Abbas. Jones said Abbas is a highly professional, humble player with a strong learning mentality and has special plans to develop him into a skilled player and goalscorer.

The current camp features five expatriate players of Bangladeshi origin, including Abbas. English coach Gerard Emlyn Jones is shaping the team with new strategies around them. His goal is to qualify for the main round of the upcoming AFC Under-20 Asian Cup qualifiers.

The coach said players' abilities have been assessed through long training sessions. Along with international competition, preparations for future Under-17 and Under-20 level tournaments are also being considered. The team has already played more than four friendly matches, providing players with experience in physical capability, tactical positioning and performing under pressure.

Jones said that regardless of pitch conditions, the focus is on positively embracing them to build players' stamina and balance. He said the only goal is to give the best for the country with a positive mindset and secure victory.

Abbas is also thrilled to play for Bangladesh. He said he is happy and proud to take the field for Bangladesh, and praised the hard work of the national team, coaching staff and technical team.

Abbas said the fact that expatriate players like Hamza Choudhury have played for the national team has also inspired him. His goal is to do well for Bangladesh on major international stages, including the AFC Asian Cup.

The AFC Under-20 Asian Cup qualifiers will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from August 31 to September 6. Bangladesh's three opponents in Group B are Uzbekistan, Syria and India. Bangladesh will begin their campaign against hosts Uzbekistan on August 31, followed by Syria on September 3 and India on September 6.

Among the five expatriate or Bangladeshi-origin players in the camp, three are from England—defender Zidan Yusuf, striker Mohammad Mahi Khan, and winger Adam Abbas. The other two are Australia-based Ehsan Malik and US-based striker Farzad Aftab.

From the initial 43 players called up, 26 footballers are currently in the camp after selection. The final squad will have 23 players. Along with coach Gerard Jones, the camp includes a foreign fitness trainer and a goalkeeping coach.

Bangladesh Football Federation's Development Committee Chairman Naser Shahriar Zahedi is also optimistic about the team. He expects Bangladesh to secure a place in the main round of the AFC Under-20 Asian Cup using the preparations in Jashore.