Bangladesh Football Federation yesterday announced the 29-member preliminary squad for the upcoming 2018 Fifa World Cup second round qualifiers against Tajikistan and Asian champions Australia, slated for next month.
In-form winger Zahid Hossain failed to make in into the squad that was drafted by newly-appointed Italian head coach Fabio Lopez. His long-term national teammate, striker Jahid Hasan Ameli, also missed the cut.
Despite scoring four goals in the last two matches for Chittagong Abahani, Zahid still could not impress the Italian tactician who earlier said the national winger has fitness issues and lacks consistency.
Sheikh Jamal DC defensive pair Nasir Uddin Chowdhury and Yeasin Khan returned to the squad along with midfielder Sohel Rana.
The other new additions include Mohammedan goalkeeper Ashraful Haque Rana, Bangladesh Under-19 captain Masuk Miah Jony and defender Kesto Kumar Bosh. Team BJMC’s young forward Nabib Newaj Jibon will continue to fill Ameli’s absence in the centre-forward position.
Top-flight champions Sheikh Jamal have the most number of representatives in the national squad with 13 but none of them has featured in the ongoing inaugural Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup.
Lopez is likely to begin his training session tomorrow with the available players.
The Bengal Tigers will leave here for Tajikistan on November 9. The men in red and green will face the Tajiks on November 12 before taking on the Socceroos five days later.
