Bangladesh Football Federation yesterday declared a 28-member preliminary squad for the Fifa International Friendly against India scheduled to be played at Goa on March 5.
Head coach Lodewijk de Kruif however thought he has very little time to prepare his team for the match and said, “It's a tough situation but we have to proceed with what we have.
“I am not getting the full squad before February 28 as Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell players have their league commitments, so it’s a tough situation,” Kruif said.
Four new faces - midfielders Hemanta Vincent, Jewel Rana, Rubel Mia and defender Tutul Hossain Badsha - got their first national call up and the Dutch head coach stated it as a regular process. Among them it is a new horizon for Under-19 defender Tutul Hossain Badsha as he is yet to play any Bangladesh Premier League match for Abahani Ltd. “There are a few new faces in the squad as apprentices are required for grooming the future players, we will see whether they are ready to take the senior’s responsibility,” said Kruif.
Defenders Waly Faisal, Ariful Islam, midfielder Omar Faruk Babu, forwards Sakhawat Hossain Rony and Wahed Ahmed were the unlucky ones as they were omitted from the squad that played in the Saff Championship in Nepal in September.
The coach revealed that Denmark expatriate Jamal Bhuiyan will fly directly to Mumbai on Feb 3 to join the squad. “I will also see the injuries as Mishu is sick for last five days, the tour party will consist 18 players,” added the Dutch.
Prelim squad:
Goal Keepers- Biplob Bhattyacharya, Shahidul Alam Sohel, Mazharul Islam Himel, Mamun Khan
Defenders- Raihan Hasan, Md. Linkon, Tapu Barman, Nasir Uddin Chowdhry, Didarul Haque, Yeasin Khan, Atikur Rahman Meshu, Yamin Ahmed Chowdhury, Tutul Hossain Badsha Midfielders- Jamal Bhuiyan, Mobarak Hossain, Zahid Hossain, Rubel Mia, Mamunul Islam, Sohel Rana, Shahedul Alam, Imon Mahmud, Hemanta Vincent, Jewel Rana, Towhidul Alam
Forwards- Toklis Ahmed, Jahid Hasan, Ameli, Aminur Rahaman, Mithun Chowdhury