Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club players are likely to benefit from their performance in the IFA Shield as coach Lodewijk de Kruif considers including many of them in his preliminary squad for a FIFA friendly against India next month. De Kruif has almost finalised his squad, which could feature as many as 12 players from Jamal, who exhibited brilliant football in the IFA Shield to finish runners-up behind Kolkata Mohammedan.
Defenders Didarul Islam and Yasin Ahmed, who have never played for Bangladesh, could be the biggest beneficiaries as they are set to be included in the preliminary squad.
The duo could be joined by national under-19 captain Hemanta Vincent, who recently attended a trial with Dutch club FC Twente following a recommendation from de Kruif.
Brothers Union striker Rubel Miah, BJMC forward Aminur Rahman Sajib, Chittagong Abahani defender Nazrul Islam and Under-19 midfielder Badshah Mia are among the other newcomers being considered by the coach.
Mohammedan goalkeeper Mamun Khan, Abahani left back Wali Faisal,
Mohammedan centre back Ariful Islam, Sheikh Russell striker Mithun Chowdhury and Abahani midfielder Abdul Baten Mazumder Komol, who were all part of Bangladesh’s last national squad, could be excluded for the India game.
Two Sheikh Jamal players who did not play in the IFA Shield – striker Shakhwat Hossain Rony and midfielder Monaym Khan Razu – are also on the chopping block.
-With New Age input
