Sports Desk //

Bangladesh coach Thomas Dooley has finalized the 23-member squad for the FIFA ASEAN Cup. Expatriate footballers such as Farhan Ali Wahid, Shuki Itofusa, and Zidan Yusuf have secured spots in the team. However, US-based goalkeeper Saif Kerawala did not make the cut. Meanwhile, experienced national team center-back Topu Barman has been ruled out of the tournament due to a thigh muscle injury; he had originally been included in Dooley’s final squad.

Shahriar Emon has been called up to replace Topu. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) confirmed this development via their official WhatsApp group.

The three goalkeepers selected for the squad are Mitul Marma, Sujan Hossain, and Mehedi Hasan Shrabon. Like Saif Kerawala, experienced goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico was also left out. Among the expatriate players who participated in trials, Yasar Tahmid, Debjit Sarkar, and Yusuf Ahmed failed to secure a place in the final squad.

Of the three new expatriates, Farhan is currently playing on loan for the English club Boreham Wood FC from Premier League side Fulham. The 19-year-old winger has been generating significant buzz for some time and could now make his debut in the Bangladesh jersey. Coach Dooley is quite optimistic about him, expecting the Boreham Wood forward to make a substantial impact in front of the goal. Bangladesh has struggled with a lack of a proven striker for several years; Dooley believes Farhan’s finishing ability will make him a key asset to the national team. Farhan is set to join the squad in Indonesia before the tournament begins.

Shuki, a Japanese winger of Bangladeshi descent, joined the Bangladesh Football League side Fortis FC from the Laotian club Savannakhet Gelos earlier this September. He joined the domestic league club with the dream of playing for the Bangladesh national team. The 22-year-old winger earned Dooley’s confidence during the training camp and secured his spot in the final squad. Zidan Yusuf has earned a call-up to the national team after shining in the Under-20 squad. The coach is quite optimistic about this 18-year-old defender, who is based in England. Manjurur Rahman, who made his national team debut against Sri Lanka in 2018, has also returned to the squad after a long hiatus.

Hamza Choudhury and Samit Som have not yet joined the team; they will link up with the squad in Indonesia. Both are included in the 23-man roster.

Bangladesh will compete in Group A of Division 1 at the ASEAN Cup. Joining Bangladesh in this group are hosts Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Bangladesh will kick off their group stage campaign against Malaysia on September 25, with the match scheduled for 3:00 PM (Bangladesh time). They will subsequently face Singapore on September 28 and Indonesia on October 1. All three matches will be held at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.

Bangladesh Squad for the ASEAN Cup
Goalkeepers: Mitul Marma, Mehedi Hasan Shrabon, Sujan Hossain.
Defenders: Tariq Kazi, Shakil Ahad, Saad Uddin, Zayan Ahmed, Zidan Yusuf, Manjurur Rahman, Rahmat Mia.
Midfielders: Jamal Bhuyan, Sohel Rana, Mohammad Sohel Rana, Mohammad Hridoy, Hamza Choudhury, Samit Som, Sheikh Morsalin.
Forwards: Shahriar Emon, Fahamidul Islam, Shuki Itofusa, Rakib Hossain, Farhan Ali, Minhajul Karim.

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