Dutch coach Lodewijk De Kruif axed seven footballers from his AFC Challenge Cup squad as he named a 35-member preliminary squad for September’s SAFF Championship on Sunday.
The preliminary squad which is a blend of young and experienced players saw some players who have excelled in the ongoing Super Cup, a tournament which was kept reserved only for the local players.
Mohammedan striker Wahed Ahmed, winger Mobarak Hossain Bhuiyan and defender Tapu Barman, Sheikh Russell KC’s stopper Uttam Kumar Banik and left-back Nahidul Islam Nahid, Team BJMC’s midfielder Omar Farque Babu and Brothers Union’s winger Yousuf Sifat are some of the young players who impressed in the Super Cup to get a place in the squad.
Defender Mamun Miah, winger Shakil Ahmed, Abdul Baten Kamol, Mohammad Sujan, Alamgir Kabir Rana, Jamal Hossain and Maruf Ahmed, who were part of AFC Challenge Cup, found no room in the squad.
Midfielders Shahedul Alam Shahed and Arman Aziz, Arup Kumar Baddya and Biplob Bhattacharjee returned to the national fold while striker Zahid Hasan Ameli, winger Zahid Hossain, defender Ariful Islam and goalkeeper Masudur Rahman Mustaq, who were dropped from AFC Challenge Cup for injury, also returned.
The preparation camp for the SAFF Championship, scheduled to be held in Nepal from September 1 to 11, will get underway on July 1, with assistant coach Rene Koster scheduled to arrive on June 30.
Kruif is expected to take charge on July 1.
Bangladesh will fly for Thailand for further training and play an international friendly against the Thai national side on July 19.
Squad
Shahidul Alam, Wali Faisal, Atiqur Rahman Mishu, Shahedul Alam Shahed, Arman Hossain, Shakhawat Hosssain Rony (all Abahani), Manun Khan, Mezbabaul Haque, Sohel Rana, Tapu Barman, Wahed Ahmed,, Mubarak Hossain Bhuiyan, Maksudur Rahman, Ariful Islam, Nasiruddin Chowdhury, Raihan Hassan, Arup Kumar Baiddya, Yeamin Ahmen Chowdhury Munna (Sheikh Jamal), Biplop Bhattcharjee,, Mohammad Lincon, Uttam Kumar Banik, Mamunul Islam, Zahid Hasan Ameli, Mithun Chowdhury, Zahid Hossain (Sheikh Russell), Nahidul Islam, Kessta Kumar Bose, Toklis Ahmed, Omar Faruk Babu ( BJMC), AS Yousuf Sifat (Brothers Union), Zaur Rahman ( Muktijoddha), Jamal Bhuiyan (Denmark), Ananda Rahman (Australia), Reasat Khatun (Germany).
-With New Age input
