Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on Monday announced a 30-man squad for the upcoming FIFA international friendly against San Marino, scheduled to be held on June 5.
The match will mark a historic occasion for the men in red and green as it will be the first time Bangladesh play an away match against a European nation.
The fixture will also usher in a new era for the national team under newly appointed head coach Thomas Dooley, who is set to oversee his first training session with the squad on Monday.
National team manager Amer Khan said 16 players will attend the opening day of training camp while the 10 footballers from Bashundhara Kings will join the camp on Tuesday.
The remaining four players, including foreign-based trio Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome and Zayyan Ahmed, are expected to link up with the team directly in San Marino.
Defender Tariq Kazi is currently in Finland and could join the squad from there.
“If Tariq doesn’t come, we will try to take him from there,” Amer said.
“The tentative date to fly from here is on May 31. They (Hamza, Shamit, Zayyan) will also fly on the same day,” he added.
Captain Jamal Bhuiyan expressed optimism ahead of the “exciting” first-ever match in Europe.
“Expectation is high. The squad is very good and strong. This is the first time we will play in Europe. Feeling will be different because of the difference of weather and climate,” Jamal said.
“We will find out how to adjust once we reach there but it’s going to be a totally different match. It’s going to be exciting.”
The midfielder also admitted the squad had limited preparation time due to domestic league commitments.
“We couldn’t camp earlier due to the league which ended on Saturday. The new coach will take time. We will meet him for the first time today,” he said.
Jamal also hopes for a fresh beginning under Dooley after struggling for regular starts during the tenure of former coach Javier Cabrera.
“I hope new coach, new energy, everything is new. So I will give my best,” Jamal added.
Squad
Mitul Marma, Md Sujon Hossain, Anisur Rahman, Tariq Rahman Kazi, Topu Barman, Md Shakil Ahad Topu, Bishwanath Ghosh, Md Saad Uddin, Zayyan Ahmed, Md Taj Uddin, Md Rahmat Mia, Md Abdullah Omar, Md Sakil Hossain, Md Isa Faysal, SM Monjurur Rahman, Jamal Bhuiyan, Md Sohel Rana, Sohel Rana, Md Ridoy, Hamza Dewan Choudhury, Shamit Shome, Shekh Morsalin, Syed Quazem Kirmanee Shah, Fahamedul Islam, Md Sahariar Emon, Md Foysal Ahmed Fahim, Mohammad Ibrahim, Mirajul Islam, Md Minhazul Karim Shadin and Md Rafiqul Islam.