Six young faces in Bangladesh football squad

Six young faces were called up to the national side for the first time as the Bangladesh Football Federation on Saturday announced a 33-man preliminary squad, ahead of Bangladesh's upcoming home clash against Bhutan in the Asian Football Confederation's Cup Qualifiers Play-off on September 6. Twelve players have been excluded from the previous 32-member squad that was announced on July 10 this year. Notable exclusions include Zahid Hossain, Hemanta Vincent Biswas, Monayem Khan Raju and Russel Mahmud Liton, who have all been regulars in the national team. Highest nine players were selected from Abahani Limited while rising powerhouse Chittagong Abahani have eight representatives. Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra and Arambagh KS have four and three players respectively. Reigning champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club on the other hand have only two representatives in the latest squad. Surprisingly, despite being at the summit of the premier league recently, no Muktijoddha Sangsad player managed to make the cut. Regarding the latest squad announcement, Bangladesh's newly-appointed Belgian head coach Tom Saintfiet said, “We selected young players who played good in the league. And also experienced players who played good in the league. So, it's a very diverse selection of 33 among which we will reduce to 23 later on. We are going to create a team who is going to win against Bhutan.”33-member squadGoalkeepers: Shahidul Alam Sohel, Ashraful Islam Rana, Maksudur Rahman Mostak and Mohammad NehalDefenders: Tapu Barman, Mamun Miah, Ariful Islam, Wali Faisal, Rayhan Hasan, Nasiruddin Chowdhury, Yeamin Ahmed Chowdhury Munna, Rezaul Karim Reza, Atiqur Rahman Meshu and Monsur AminMidfielders: Pranotosh Kumar, Emon Mahmud Babu, Mamunul Islam, Sohel Rana, Jamal Bhuiyan, Mohammad Abdullah, Mohammad Sohel Rana, Sentu Chandra Sen and Anamul Haque SharifForwards: Jewel Rana, Nabib Newaj Jibon, Rubel Miah, Romman Hossain, Shakhawat Hossain Rony, Jafar Iqbal, Aminur Rahman Sajib, Mehedi Hasan Tapu, Didarul Alam and Mahbub Hasan NoyonExcluded from the initial list (12)GKs: Russel Mahmud Liton and Mazharul Islam HemelDefender: Shakil AhmedMidfielders: Monayem Khan Raju, Shahedul Alam Shahed, Mohammad Shahedul Alam, Masuk Miah Jony, Hemanta Vincent Biswas and Kawsar Ali RabbyForwards: Towhidul Alam Towhid, Zahid Hossain and Syed Russel TurjoNewly included (13)GKs: Maksudur Rahman Mostak and Mohammad NehalDefenders: Monsur Amin and Atiqur Rahman MeshuMidfielders: Sentu Chandra Sen, Anamul Haque Sharif and Mohammad Sohel RanaForwards: Mehedi Hasan Tapu, Didarul Alam, Aminur Rahman Sajib, Mahbub Hasan Noyon, Romman Hossain and Shakhawat Hossain Rony