Veterans Wali Faisal and Faisal Mahmud, who were out of the national side for a while, were included in the 41-member preliminary squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying match against Kyrgyzstan. The squad, announced on Monday to provide newly-appointed coach Fabio Lopez an idea about the available options, also had six rookies from different local clubs.
Bangladesh will take on Kyrgyzstan on October 13.
Assistant coach Saiful Bari Titu selected the squad, which retained all 23 players who were part of the squad during the recent World Cup qualifiers as well as 18 others who performed well in the domestic competitions.
‘As Lopez is new here we tried to give him as much options as possible,’ Titu told reporters. ‘It will help the new coach [Lopez] to pick his final squad for the next month’s World Cup qualifiers.’
Lopez will observe the players in the next five days before he trims the squad’s size for the residential camp at the BKSP.
Titu added that national under-19 national team players will also train with the national team so that Lopez can choose the players from the youth team if he wishes.
Wali Faisal, a Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra left back, last time played for the national team in the last SAFF Championships in Nepal in 2013.
Muktijoddha left winger Faisal Mahmud was picked for the first time after seven years since he last played for the national team in the 2008 SAFF Championships, jointly held in Sri Lanka and Maldives.
The new faces of the team are—Russell striker Mohammad Rumman, Mohammedan Sporting Club midfielder Masuk Miah Joni, Abahani Limited defender Shakil Ahmad, Brothers defender Rasedul alam Moni, Team BJMC forward Nabib Newaj Jibon and Feni Soccer Club forward Sohel Miah.
The players of the preliminary squad were asked to report to the team manager at the Bangladesh Football Federation today.
Squad: Mamunul Islam Mamun, Sahidul Alam, Mazharul islam, Rayhan hasan, Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, Yeasin Khan, Yeamin Chowdhury Munna, Jamal Bhuiyan, Sohel rana, Monayem Khan Raju, Toklis Ahmed, Kesto Kumer Bosh, Mohammad Linkon, Shakawat Hossain Rony, Atiqur Rahaman Meshu, Russell Mahmud Liton, Topu Barman, Hemanta Vincent Biswas, Zahid Hossain, Zahid Hasan Ameli, Wali Faisal, Imtiaz Sultan Jitu, Faisal Mahmud, Razaul karim, Jewel Rana, Tawhidul Alam Sabuz, Ashraful Isam Rana, Nasirul Islam Nasir, Wahed Ahmed, Abdul Baten Komol, Shahedul Alam Shahed, Shahedul Alam Shahed, Aminur Rahman Sozib, Emon Mahmud, Enamul Hoque, Mohammad Rumman, Masuk Miah Joni, Shakil Ahmad, Rasedul Alam Moni, Nabib Newaj Jibon and Sohel Miah.
-With New Age input
