Bangladesh Football Federation yesterday announced a 37-member preliminary squad for the upcoming AFC Under-23 Championship Qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Dhaka later this month.
As part of the preparation for the Qualifiers, Bangladesh U-23 will undergo a residential training camp, which will begin this Tuesday, at BKSP in Savar.
The Dutch head coach of Bangladesh, Lodewijk de Kruif, is likely to arrive in Dhaka on March 16 to take charge of the team. Before his arrival, Saiful Bari Titu will guide the U-23 footballers. Following the residential training camp, the squad will be trimmed down to 23 members.
A total of 14 experienced campaigners have been named in the 37-man list, including five from premier league champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi club. Abahani (10) have the most representatives in the national squad while seven footballers ply their trade with Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra. Mohammedan have four representatives in the squad.
All the players have been requested to report to manager Amirul Islam Babu this Tuesday afternoon at the BFF House.
Meanwhile, hosts Bangladesh U-23 have been placed in Group E alongside Syria, Uzbekistan and India. The home side will face Syria in their opening match on March 27 at Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Bangladesh will then take on Uzbekistan and India on March 29 and 31 respectively. Only the group champions will progress to the final round.
Bangladesh U23 squad
Rayhan Hasan, Yeasin Khan, Sohel Rana, Rubel Mia, Toklis Ahmed Tonmoy (all from Sheikh Jamal); Nahid, Atikur Rahman Fahad, Shahed, Aminur Rahman Sajib, Shakil, Badshah, Omor Faruk, Wahed Ahmed, Milon, Oman (Abahani); Russel Mahmud Liton, Topu Barman, Hemanta Vincent Biswas, Rakibul, Sohel, Yusuf Sifat, Fazley Rabbi (Sheikh Russel); Nurul Naim, Jewel Rana, Ibrahim, Sujan (Mohammedan); Javed, Anis, Shahed, Biswajit Ghosh (Muktijoddha); Mezbah, Kaiser Ali (Brothers); Naim (BJMC); Krishna Mali, Absar (Rahmatganj), Rafi (Farashganj), Masud Uddin (BKSP)