No Zico, Cuba as BFF announces preliminary squad for Vietnam, Singapore ties

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on Sunday announced a 28-member preliminary squad of the men’s senior team for a training camp in Dhaka ahead of this month’s friendly against Vietnam and an AFC Asian Cup Qualifying tie against Singapore.

Bangladesh will play away to Vietnam on March 26 as part of their preparation for the away game against Singapore on March 31.

Coach Javier Cabrera has excluded five players from the 23-member squad that played against India in last November in Dhaka.

Winger Rakib Hossain and centre-back Topu Barman have not been considered due to suspension while there was no place either for England-based forward Cuba Mitchell and defender Taj Uddin.

Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury was also not included, however, he is expected to join the national team in Vietnam on March 22.

Cabrera recalled fit-again defenders Bishwanath Ghosh, Monjurur Rahman Manik and Isa Faysal while young striker Mirajul Islam and experienced Rafiqul Islam and Sumon Reza also returned to the fray along with Fahamedul Islam, who missed the India tie due to suspension.

Brothers Union goalkeeper Ishaque Ali Akondo, who previously represented the Bangladesh U-20 team in AFC competitions, expressed satisfaction after receiving his maiden national team call-up and vowed to fight for a place in the final 23-member squad. 

The Sirajganj-born keeper kept three clean sheets in nine Bangladesh Football League matches, conceding 11 goals.
“I will try my best to secure a place in the final 23-member squad, although it will be a challenge to compete with the other goalkeepers -- Mitul Marma, Mehedi Hasan Srabon and Sujon Hossain,” Akondo said in a video message shared by the Bangladesh Football Federation.

Mitul and Sujon have been regular starters for their respective clubs, Abahani and Mohammedan. Mitul has conceded 11 goals and kept five clean sheets in 11 league matches, while Sujon has kept two clean sheets in nine appearances, conceding 11 goals.

Srabon has featured in only one league match, conceding once, as experienced Zico has been preferred ahead of him at Bashundhara Kings. Zico kept four clean sheets in 10 matches, conceding 12 goals.

There were strong speculations within the football fraternity that Zico would return to the preliminary squad after missing the last nine internationals over a 15-month period, however, he was once again overlooked by the Spanish coach.

The players are scheduled to report to the team manager tomorrow in Dhaka. Their training is likely to get underway on Tuesday at the Bashundhara Kings arena.

Preliminary Squad

Goalkeepers: Mitul Marma, Sujan Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Srabon, Ishaque Akondo

Defenders: Tariq Raihan Kazi, Rahmat Mia, Shakil Ahad Topu, Abdullah Omar, Shakil Hossain, Zayyan Ahmed, Bishwanath Ghosh, Saad Uddin, Monjurur Rahman Manik, Isa Faysal.

Midfielders: Shah Quazem Kirmane, Sheikh Morsalin, Jamal Bhuyan, Sohel Rana, Md Sohel Rana, Mohammad Ridoy, Shamit Shome

Forwards: Arman Foysal Akash, Emon Shahriar, Faisal Ahmed Fahim, Fahamedul Islam, Mirajul Islam Rafiqul Islam, Sumon Reza.