KARACHI, April 5: Pakistan’s buildup to this month’s under-20 Asian group V football qualifiers is yet to take-off in earnest since three key probables have not reported to the camp.

Although, the hosts kicked off their preparations from March 26 with a camp being supervised by coach John Layton, three prominent players, Essa, Adeel, and Asadullah are yet to join.

The trio has represented Pakistan during the recently concluded tour of Sri Lanka. Essa and Asadullah are due next week, while Adeel is likely to report Saturday.

The April 25 to 29 tournament in Karachi features hosts Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives. Qatar will play host to the main round scheduled in October this year.

“Asad will join after his wedding, Essa and Adeel have opted to take break after the Sri Lankan tour,” the coach said from Islamabad.

Two more Pakistan team members who visited pearl island, Nomi Martin and Arif Mahmood, came for training late Thursday night, the coach said.

According to English coach, the team, besides having lack of exposure, did not have enough time to prepare. “I just got four weeks to prepare the boys which is inadequate. I would prefer to finalize the squad within a week to prepare the team for drills.”

The coach, deputed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for a three-year term, considered lack of understanding of the game as the major deficiency of the players.

“I have started from scratch. The boys are raw and do not know their roles and the basics of the game. That is why it is quite challenging to train them in such a short time,” he said.

The Briton suggested friendly matches and more tours abroad which he said was the only way to reap better results.

He rated Bangladesh as the favourites and the best prepared side of the qualifiers saying they had been preparing for the last three months.

“The Bangladeshis used to play league regularly and could not qualify for the previous junior Asian championship as a formidable Iraqi side edged them out on goal difference.

“Likewise, the Sri Lankans, having a better infrastructure are also preparing for three months. The Sri Lankan Under-20 side even beat Pakistan national side during the just concluded tour which is why I consider them a threat,” he said.

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) despite receiving money from FIFA coffers has failed to raise adequate infrastructure. The PFF have been granted one million dollar grant by FIFA.

Besides, FIFA has recently chosen Pakistan for its Goal Project under which the PFF will get another $400,000 for the development of the sport in the country.