Abahani Limited trio Shahidul Alam Sohel, Saad Uddin and Sohel Rana returned to the national side as Bangladesh Friday announced the 25-man preliminary squad for their opening match against Afghanistan in the Joint Qualifiers of the 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup.
After missing the double-legged pre-qualifier against Laos where Bangladesh prevailed 1-0, goalkeeper Sohel, forward Saad and midfielder Rana are back in national reckoning, ahead of their September 10 clash against the Afghans, slated for neutral venue Dushanbe in Tajikistan.
Lt. Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club defender Manjurur Rahman and Bashundhara Kings defender Naiyum Faisal also scripted returns to the national side.
The uncapped Yeasin Arafat of Saif Sporting was also included in the side.
Bangladesh head coach Jamie Day excluded four players from the previous squad that played against Laos – goalkeeper Himel, defender Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, midfielder Emon Mahmud Babu and forward Towhidul Alam Sabuj.
Bangladesh are set to kick off the second round of the World Cup and Asian Cup joint-qualifiers campaign at a neutral venue in Tajikistan as it was officially confirmed that Afghanistan would get Dushanbe as their home venue for the opening 4 matchdayshttps://t.co/FsWARYFn5i#WC
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) August 14, 2019
After his holidays, Day will arrive in Dhaka Monday, while the national camp is expected to begin on August 25.
Regarding the new inclusions, Day said, “They deserve their chance to be called up to the national team for the forthcoming camp and match. They have been consistent in the league which has helped the selection. Now they need to show me in training that they are ready to fight for a starting place in the team.”
The English coach sympathized with the excluded players, saying, “I think Nasir has been a fantastic person and player I admire but he is not getting any younger and the younger ones are the future with experience around them.
“I like Emon and I still believe he can play for the national team again but at the moment I feel there are a few players in front of him in this position. Sabuj has future in national team but unfortunately he hasn’t played enough games and other players in his position are more match fit.”
Bangladesh will also lock horns with Oman, India and 2022 World Cup host Qatar in Group E.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Ashraful Islam Rana, Shahidul Alam Sohel and Anisur Rahman Zico
Defenders: Bishwanath Ghosh, Tutul Hossain Badshah, Sushanta Tripura, Rahmat Mia, Manjurur Rahman, Yeasin Khan, Riyadul Hasan, Nurul Naiyum Faisal and Yeasin Arafat
Midfielders: Masuk Mia Jony, Jamal Bhuiyan, Mamunul Islam, Sohel Rana, Rabiul Hasan, Biplu Ahmed, Arifur Rahman and Mohammad Ibrahim
Forwards: Nabib Newaj Jibon, Mahbubur Rahman Sufil, Matin Mia, Saad Uddin and Jewel Rana
